Issue Number 114 October 2006
Naro-Maciel & Formia discuss the role genetic data can play in defining a sea turtle subpopulation (pp. 6-8).
IN THIS ISSUE: Editorials: Editorial...... M.H. Godfrey & L.M. Campbell Revision of the Kemp’s Ridley Recovery Plan...... C.W. Caillouet. Jr. Sea Turtle Subpopulations and the IUCN Red List: a Complementary Role for Conservation Genetics ...... E.Naro-Maciel & A.Formia Commentary: What is a Subpopulation?...... N. Mrosovsky Articles: Transatlantic Migration of Juvenile Loggerhead Turtles from the Strait of Gibraltar...... D. Cejudo et al. On the Occurrence of Columbus Crabs (Planes minutus) from Loggerhead Turtles in Florida, USA...... M. Frick et al. Hawksbill Turtle Tracking as Part of Initial Sea Turtle Research and Conservation at Groote Eylandt, Northern Australia ...... S.D. Whiting et al. Lower Nesting Success of Flatback Turtles Caused by Disorientation...... A.U. Koch & M.L. Guinea IUCN-MTSG Quarterly Report Meeting Reports Letter Book Reviews Announcements News & Legal Briefs Recent Publications
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page ISSN 0839-7708 Editors: Managing Editor:
Lisa M. Campbell Matthew H. Godfrey Michael S. Coyne Nicholas School of the Environment NC Sea Turtle Project A321 LSRC, Box 90328 and Earth Sciences, Duke University NC Wildlife Resources Commission Nicholas School of the Environment 135 Duke Marine Lab Road 1507 Ann St. and Earth Sciences, Duke University Beaufort, NC 28516 USA Beaufort, NC 28516 USA Durham, NC 27708-0328 USA
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +1 252-504-7648 Fax: +1 919 684-8741
Founding Editor: Nicholas Mrosovsky University of Toronto, Canada
Editorial Board:
Brendan J. Godley & Annette C. Broderick (Editors Emeriti) Roderic B. Mast University of Exeter in Cornwall, UK Conservation International, USA
George H. Balazs Nicolas J. Pilcher National Marine Fisheries Service, Hawaii, USA Marine Research Foundation, Malaysia
Karen L. Eckert Manjula Tiwari WIDECAST, USA National Marine Fisheries Service, La Jolla, USA
Angela Formia Kartik Shanker University of Florence, Italy Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
Colin Limpus Roldán Valverde Queensland Turtle Research Project, Australia Southeastern Louisiana University, USA
Jeanette Wyneken Florida Atlantic University, USA
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Marine© Turtle Marine Newsletter Turtle No. Newsletter 114, 2006 - Page Editorial
Lisa M. Campbell1 & Matthew H. Godfrey2 1Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Duke University, 135 Duke Marine Lab Road Beaufort, NC 28516 USA (E-mail: [email protected]) 2NC Wildlife Resources Commission, 1507 Ann St. Beaufort, NC 28516 USA (E-mail: [email protected])
It is with great enthusiasm, and only slightly less trepidation, that Turtle Symposium has left a gap in the communication of research we begin our stint as editors for the Marine Turtle Newsletter. The results that the MTN can fill. The 4 page extended abstract format trepidation stems from the rather large footsteps we follow in; this previously adopted in the symposium proceedings is just about the history of editorship of the MTN is an impressive one, including perfect length for an MTN research submission. Following the Nicholas Mrosovsky, Nat Frazer, Karen Eckert & Scott Eckert, review policies implemented by Annette Broderick and Brendan Annette Broderick & Brendan Godley. Our enthusiasm stems from Godley, all research submissions will continue to be subjected to the role the MTN plays in the world of marine turtle conservation peer review, and we believe this makes the MTN a better publication and beyond, and our ideas about what we might do to enhance that outlet than the former proceedings. We encourage authors to submit role. We take this opportunity to share our vision of what we hope short research papers for consideration. to achieve as the MTN’s latest editors.
Third, one of our main goals as editors will be to produce First, Nicholas Mrosovsky, the founding Editor, envisioned regional special issues of the MTN. We intend to produce one the MTN as providing both a forum for exchange of information such issue a year, and the first will be a special issue on sea turtle and a mechanism for alerting people to threats in a timely manner. conservation and research in Africa, guest edited by Angela Formia, While advances in computer-based information exchange have Jacques Fretey, Sue Ranger and Manjula Tiwari. The issue was undoubtedly reduced the importance of the MTN from the latter inspired by the successful Africa meetings at the 2006 Symposium perspective, the newsletter continues to play an important role in Crete, and we plan to publish it in January 2007. in communicating information about all aspects of marine turtle biology and conservation, and we would add ‘communicating opinions’ to this. We feel the MTN has a particular role to play in Finally, the MTN will continue with what must by now be providing space for editorials, as illustrated in the last issue (MTN considered its regular features: Recent Publications (compiled by 113) by the exchange of letters on the shipment of green turtles from Karen Bjorndal, Alan Bolten and Peter Eliazar of the Archie Carr the Cayman Turtle Farm to the UK. There are points of considerable Center for Sea Turtle Research), News and Legal Briefs (compiled debate and contention in the marine turtle world, and the MTN can by Kelly Samek), and ISTS and MTN information pages. provide an important venue (and one of the few published ones) for considering the various sides of the issues at stake. We encourage authors to submit editorial style pieces to the MTN. Of course, the production of the MTN is a shared responsibility with the Managing Editor Michael Coyne, the Editorial Board, and the numerous reviewers who donate countless hours to improving the Second, a recent decision by the International Sea Turtle Society articles that appear in the MTN. We thank them all and look forward to no longer publish extended abstracts from the Annual Sea to continuing the fine tradition that the MTN has become.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page Guest Editorial: Revision of the Kemp’s Ridley Recovery Plan
Charles W. Caillouet, Jr. 106 Victoria Drive West, Montgomery, Texas 77356 USA (E-mail: [email protected])
The United States’ Endangered Species Act (ESA) established this meeting been posted on the recovery plan web site when this policies and procedures for identifying, listing, and protecting editorial was written. Stakeholders’ were invited to submit written species that are endangered or threatened with extinction. When comments to the KRRT within 2 weeks of this meeting; mine were in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its submitted March 2006, based on recall and notes. For purposes of range, a species is listed as endangered. It is listed as threatened if discussion, below are my further suggestions and their rationale, likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. Kemp’s based on those comments: ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) has been listed as endangered since 1970. Since the ESA-required recovery plan for Kemp’s 4. Update annual hatchling and nest count data and estimates of Ridley was published (USFWS and NMFS, 1992), much has been parameter values or levels through the 2006 nesting season, and accomplished toward its recovery, and publications focusing on it rerun the age-based model. have flourished (see Chelonian Conservation & Biology, v. 4, no. 4 and Plotkin in press). The recovery plan is now being revised Rationale - The KRRT is using age-based modeling (TEWG 1998, by a Mexico-U.S. Kemp’s Ridley Recovery Team (KRRT), to 2000; Heppell et al. 2005) to guide revision of the recovery plan. address current threats and needs, to highlight conservation Model estimates of population status and trends, rates of population accomplishments, and to meet ESA requirements (http://www.fws. recovery, effects of recovery actions, and time required to fulfill gov/kempsridley). KRRT membership, background information, downlisting and delisting criteria, could influence establishment and minutes of its and its stakeholders meetings, are posted on the and prioritization of recovery actions. Although age-based models web site. A draft of the revised plan should be available for public are very helpful tools, flexibility and caution should be exercised review by early 2007. in their use. I participated in two KRRT stakeholders meetings (April 2004 The input variable in such models is annual production of and February 2006) in Houston, Texas. At the first, input from hatchlings in Tamaulipas, and the output variable is annual number stakeholders was solicited. At that meeting, and in an earlier of nests laid in Tamaulipas, with a time lag related to estimated age Marine Turtle Newsletter guest editorial, I offered the following to maturity. Model-estimated rates of increase in annual number suggestions for consideration by the KRRT in revision of the of nests are sensitive to choices of data time series and parameter recovery plan (Caillouet 2005): values or levels (TEWG 1998, 2000; Heppell et al. 2005). The TEWG (1998, 2000) and Heppell et al. (2005) employed single 1. Designate Texas beaches as known nesting habitats for point estimates for some model parameters; e.g., a 1F:1M sex ratio Kemp’s ridley, and provide these beaches, nesters, eggs and was assumed, despite studies showing more female than male hatchlings additional protection, hatchlings are produced through beach corral hatchery operations 2. Provide additional protection to Kemp’s ridleys in Texas’ in Tamaulipas, and sex ratios of older life stages are female-biased nearshore waters, which are important migratory, breeding and (Coyne in press; Landry et al. 2005; D. Shaver pers. comm.; foraging habitats, and reviewed by Wibbels in press). Note that the TEWG (1998, 2000) 3. Reevaluate the Kemp’s ridley head-start experiment’s and Heppell et al. (2005) conducted model runs incorporating accomplishments to date (see Caillouet 2000a), and fulfill several different ages to maturity, but 10 years to maturity produced prior commitments to determine the fate of head-started turtles the best fit to the time series of data available to them. released into the Gulf of Mexico. The KRRT should rerun models using data time series updated through the 2006 nesting season, and incorporating ranges of Adding support to these suggestions, documented Kemp’s ridley parameter values, and include results in the revised plan, along with nests on Texas beaches this year totaled 101, almost double the 2005 descriptions of the models, input time series of data, parameters, total (D. Shaver pers. comm.), and additional nestings probably and outputs. were missed (see Pritchard 1990). Year 1985 marked the lowest reported annual nest count (740) at Rancho Nuevo, the primary 5. Estimate the relative contributions of annual hatchling nesting site in Tamaulipas, Mexico (see Table 1 in TEWG, 2000). production and post-1990 reductions in benthic stage mortality It is remarkable that the Texas nest count has already reached 13.6 to the rate of increase in annual number of nests in Tamaulipas, % of the lowest at Rancho Nuevo, and hatchling production from and examine the cost-effectiveness of these two conservation Texas nests could reach 7,000 this year (D. Shaver pers. comm.). approaches. At the second stakeholders meeting, oral and visual presentations of draft portions of the revised plan were made by KRRT members. Rationale - One consequence of the observed exponential increase No copies of these materials were distributed to stakeholders in annual number of Kemp’s ridley nests in Tamaulipas is enhanced before, during, or after the second meeting, nor had minutes of interest in determining which of several conservation approaches
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page produced this increase, as well as the relative cost-effectiveness of Tamaulipas operations for years 2000-2005 (provided by Jaime each. This was among topics explored by a project (http://www. Peña, Gladys-Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas) stated: “Clearly nceas.ucsb.edu/fmt/doc?/frames.html) initiated in 2000 and aimed we are going in the right direction but we cannot diminish our at developing new approaches to assess the Biggest Bang for the present effort if we are to succeed.” That “present effort” has been Buck in management alternatives for endangered species, including increasing exponentially with the exponential increase in nests Kemp’s ridley (Selina Heppell pers. comm). I have seen an early laid on Tamaulipas beaches (Heppell et al. 2005), but resources draft of the assessment for Kemp’s ridley, which may eventually supporting that effort are not limitless. be published (Mark Plummer, pers. comm.). Its findings could be The TEWG (1998, 2000) and Heppell et al. (2005) considered very useful to the KRRT. arbitrary limits on nests protected in beach corral hatcheries, by Following the February 2006 stakeholders meeting, I developed simulating effects of such limits on annual rate of increase in nests a simple method to estimate relative contributions of (a) annual in Tamaulipas. Nests not protected in beach hatchery corrals were production of hatchlings in Tamaulipas, and (b) post-1990 assumed to be left in situ. Before arbitrary limits are imposed on reductions in benthic stage mortality, to the annual rate of increase numbers of nests protected in Tamaulipas, further studies should be in number of nests, using results from age-based modeling. Note conducted on hatchling production of nests left in situ. Currently, that the TEWG (1998, 2000) and Heppell et al. (2005) incorporated only 3-4% of the total nests per season in Tamaulipas are left in a post-1990 multiplier, representing reduction in benthic stage situ, and hatchling production from these nests appears very low. mortality, to force model-estimated annual numbers of nests Eggs left in situ are still stolen by human poachers or destroyed by to track closely with actual annual numbers of nests in years predators, parasites, tides, etc., as was the case before Mexico’s following 1990. Note that reduction in post-1990 benthic stage government began its beach protection operations in 1966. For mortality could encompass mortality reductions associated with all four decades, standard practice has been to transfer eggs to beach threats listed in Table 6-2 in CSTC (1990), and any additional ones corral hatcheries to protect them, and to protect hatchlings during that may be listed by the KRRT in the revised plan. Of primary their crawl to the surf. Leaving large numbers of nests in situ does interest among these is reduction in mortality due to turtle excluder not appear to be a good recovery option for Kemp’s ridley, unless devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawls. Contribution of the post-1990 in situ nest receive greater protection than they do at present. mortality reduction to the estimated rate of increase in nests can be Leaving all or a large portion of nests in situ, could substantially viewed as an upper limit or boundary for the influence of TEDs. diminish hatchling production and rate of recovery, and other Two annual rates of increase (expressed in %) in nests can conservation measures alone might not be adequate to recover and be estimated with an age-based model, one with and one without maintain the species. the post-1990 reduction in benthic stage mortality included. An exponential increase in annual number of nests is observed Heppell et al. (2005) estimated the mean annual rate of increase even when no post-1990 multiplier is included in the age-based in nests during 1988-2003 at 14.9 % with the post-1990 multiplier model (Heppell et al. 2005). This suggests that restored and included, but unfortunately, they did not report a rate estimated enhanced annual hatchling production alone (through beach with the post-1990 multiplier excluded from the model. Earlier, protection and corral hatchery operations in Tamaulipas) more than Selina Heppell (pers. comm.) estimated the rate with the post-1990 compensated the detrimental impacts of all threats before TEDs multiplier included in the model to be 14 %, and the rate without were required. Later, TEDs and other factors reduced mortality in the post-1990 multiplier included to be 5.7 %. Using these results, large juveniles, subadults, and adults, thus accelerating the rate of I calculated the relative contribution of hatchling production alone increase in nests after 1990 (Heppell et al. 2005). to be 5.7 %/14 % = 0.407, or 40.7 % (Table 1). The corresponding It is puzzling why there is reluctance to give credit for the contribution of the post-1990 multiplier alone was 100 % - 40.7 reversal of the decline in the Kemp’s ridley population to beach %, or 59.3 %. The KRRT could use a similar approach on data protection and corral hatchery operations in Mexico (see Heppell updated through 2006. It should be especially interesting to see et al. 2005). TED regulations were implemented in the late 1980s, what effects female-biased sex ratios have on the magnitude of the yet signs that the downward trend in nests and nesters had slowed estimated post-1990 multiplier. then reversed were evident earlier (seaturtle.org/mtn/special/ I also decomposed the relative contribution of the post-1990 MTN_Kemps.pdf). This is not to say that additional efforts, such effect into its component parts, using as multipliers the geometric as the requirement for TEDS, that mitigate detrimental impacts mid-points of mortality class intervals (Table 1), based on from other major threats should be diminished or discontinued. mortality categories listed in Table 6-2 in CSTC (1990). I simply Although major anthropogenic threats to Kemp’s ridleys have multiplied the relative contribution of the post-1990 effect (59.3 been assuaged, they have not been eliminated. %) by the geometric mid-point for each mortality class interval. The growth curve for annual number of nests in Tamaulipas The reduction in mortality associated with shrimping was the will eventually reach an inflection point, either before or after largest single contributor (51.6 %). The KRRT could use a similar Kemp’s ridley is downlisted to threatened from endangered status. approach with updated data and parameter ranges. Peter Pritchard (pers. comm.) suggested that the inflection point in this growth curve will be reached at a much higher population 6. Caution should be exercised in imposing arbitrary limits on level than would have occurred naturally, because (a) beach corral the number of nests protected annually in Tamaulipas. hatchery operations result in much higher production of hatchlings than in situ, and (b) most density-dependent destruction of eggs Rationale - In 2005 and 2006, nests protected on Tamaulipas by nesters during future arribadas is avoided in beach corral beaches exceeded 10,000. Annual reports to USFWS covering hatcheries. Eventually, natural limitations on population growth Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page will be imposed by environmental carrying capacity. To date, there Table 6-2 in CSTC (1990) are no longer applicable, especially with is no evidence that density-dependent influences have slowed the regard to mortality due to shrimp trawling, because TEDs allow rate of increase in nests. If limits are imposed on numbers of nests escapement of sea turtles caught in trawls, and shrimping effort protected, whether arbitrary or driven by limitations of available and shrimping fleet size in the Gulf of Mexico are declining due to resources, this could postpone recovery of the species, as compared rising fuels costs and competition from imported shrimp. to status quo conservation practices in Tamaulipas and elsewhere. The pre-TED reversal of the downward trend in nests in Tamaulipas prior to implementation of TED regulations should be 7. Proposed methods for ranking threats should be reconsidered emphasized in the revised plan, in the context of evaluating and and revised. ranking threats. TEDs and all other measures that reduce mortality in benthic stages do not produce eggs or hatchlings, so they Rationale - There was an early focus by the KRRT on use contribute to future generations of Kemp’s ridleys only by saving of reproductive equivalents (REs) as multipliers in ranking some of the turtles produced from eggs. There are many threats to threats. REs suggest that adults are relatively more important to all Kemp’s ridley life stages, but they all pale in comparison to the recovery than eggs or hatchlings. Focus was shifted from REs to impacts of reducing or discontinuing protection of nesters, eggs reproductive values (RVs) by the second stakeholders meeting in and hatchlings in Tamaulipas before the species has recovered. Houston. Although both REs and RVs provide indices of relative importance of various life stages, calculations of RVs and REs 8. Use of Hildebrand’s (1963) point estimate of the 1947 differ. The KRRT distinguished REs from RVs as follows: REs arribada as a benchmark for establishing recovery goals and were scaled to adults, with 1 adult=400 hatchlings, and RVs were criteria should be reconsidered. scaled to hatchlings, with 40-50 hatchlings=1 adult. The KRRT should reconsider use of RVs in ranking threats, because this risks Rationale - The recovery plan (USFWS and NMFS, 1992) giving a false impression that protecting eggs and hatchlings on established criteria for downlisting Kemp’s ridley from endangered nesting beaches is not as important as protecting larger life stages to threatened status. Included among these criteria is a threshold of to recovery. Protecting all life stages is essential to recovery. “10,000 females nesting in a season” that must be reached before The threats ranking approach presented by the KRRT at the Kemp’s ridley can be considered only threatened. According February 2006 meeting involved age-based model-generated RVs to Richard Byles (pers. comm., during TEWG deliberations in multiplied by logarithms of the arithmetic mid-points between 1998, Miami, Florida), this threshold was calculated as 25% of lower and upper limits of annual mortality class intervals for each an estimated 40,000-nester arribada (Hildebrand 1963), based on threat. Stakeholders at different meetings voiced reservations a movie made at Rancho Nuevo by Andres Herrera on one day about this approach (see minutes posted at http://www.fws.gov/ in June 1947. This arribada size estimate has been used often as kempsridley). RVs are based on mortality rates, and the logarithmic a benchmark from which to gauge population trends and status, multipliers are derived from mortality ranges for threat categories, without question as to its validity (Caillouet 2000b). Dickerson and so multiplication of RVs by the logarithm of such arithmetic mid- Dickerson (2006) reexamined Herrera film images and concluded points seems redundant. Also, “extremely skewed” sex ratios affect that the 1947 arribada “may have been overestimated due to the age-based model estimates of REs [and, likely, RVs as well], but limited capabilities at the time for image analyses.” Their “best” the threshold level of skewness that affects such estimates was not estimate appeared to be 5,746 nesters in the 4-hr period during defined by the KRRT (see KRRT meeting minutes, 24-25 October which Herrera filmed the arribada (Dickerson and Dickerson, 2002, posted on the web site). 2006) In any case, use of logarithms of mortality levels to rank threats Carr (1977) presented “nesting arrival” (=arribada) numbers to each life stage could be problematical for other reasons. First, for 1970 (2,500 nesters) and 1974 (1,200 nesters), as well as for the original mortality scale, expressed in annual numbers of deaths 1947. Frazer (1986) estimated “around 3,000” (actually 2,940 (e.g., Table 6-2 in CSTC 1990), better represents actual mortality by my recalculation) Kemp’s ridley nesters in the 1947 season than does a logarithmic transformation of deaths. Although at Rancho Nuevo, using data from 1978-1985 (Woody 1985). logarithms provide a kind of “Richter scale” of threat severity, Using the same data on nests, and 2.5 nests per nester per season, I used as multipliers, they distort the actual numbers of deaths. recalculated nesters in 1947 to be 1,529. Given the extremely low Also, the arithmetic mid-point of annual mortality class intervals nest numbers during 1978-1985, Frazer’s (1986) back-calculation does not adequately represent the central tendency of mortalities in likely underestimated the number of nesters in 1947. these intervals. Instead, the geometric mid-point is a statistically As an alternative, I back-calculated nesters in the 1947 better estimator of the central tendency than an arithmetic mid- season, using annual numbers of nests (TEWG 2000) at Rancho point. The antilog of the mid-point between logarithms of lower Nuevo during the 1966-1977 seasons. This period encompassed and upper limits of each mortality category is the geometric mid- the earliest available data and the rapid decline in nests that point for the category (Table 1). If mortality-based multipliers are preceded implementation of the joint Mexico-U.S. restoration and to be used in ranking threats, the geometric mid-points would be enhancement program (Woody 1989). Coding the years 1947=0, superior to logarithms as multipliers. If the mid-points between 1948=1, 1949=3...1977=30, I fitted the following linear regression logarithms of mortality limits were used as multipliers, the threat (r2 =0.966) to ln(nests) versus coded year: due to shrimp trawling would not appear to be much greater than ln(nests)=12.0866-0.1769(coded year) other threats (i.e., logarithms convert exponential scale to linear From this, I estimated the number of nests (= e12.0866) in 1947 at scale). Finally, I recognize that annual mortality levels shown in 177,478, which is equivalent to 70,911 nesters (i.e., 177,478/2.5).
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page DICKERSON, V.A. & D.D. DICKERSON. 2006. Analysis of arribada in 1947 Herrera film at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico. In: Frick, M., A. Panagopoulou, A.F. Rees & K. Williams (Compilers) Book of Abstracts. Twenty Sixth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. International Sea Turtle Society, Athens, Greece. pp 290- 291.
FRAZER, N.B. 1986. Kemp’s decline: special alarm or general concern? Marine Turtle Newsletter 37:5-7.
HEPPELL, S.S., D.B. CROUSE, L.B. CROWDER, S.P. EPPERLY, W. Table 1. Estimated percentage (%) contributions of annual hatchling GABRIEL, T. HENWOOD, R. MÁRQUEZ, & N.B. THOMPSON. production and reductions in benthic stage mortality to the rate of increase 2005. A population model to estimate recovery time, population size, in Kemp’s ridley nests in Tamaulipas, Mexico and management impacts on Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Chelonian Conservation & Biology 4:767-773.
My back-calculated point estimate is of the same order of magnitude HILDEBRAND, H.H. 1963. Hallazgo del área de anidación de la tortuga as Hildebrand’s (1963), but larger (as would be expected) because marina “lora” Lepidochelys kempi (Garman), en la costa occidental del it represents the entire nesting season rather than a single arribada. Golfo de México. Sobretiro de Ciencia, México 22:105-112. All these back-calculations assume static rates of decline, an LANDRY, A.M., JR., D.T. COSTA, F.L. KENYON, II, & M.S. COYNE. assumption that cannot be tested. Interestingly, the absolute value 2005. Population characteristics of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles in of the estimated annual rate of decline (17.7 %) in nesters during nearshore waters of the upper Texas and Louisiana coasts. Chelonian 1966-1977 is less than 3% higher than the mean annual rate of Conservation & Biology 4:801-807. increase (14.9%) in nests estimated by Heppell et al. (2005) for years 1988-2003. PLOTKIN, P. (Ed.). In press. Biology and Conservation of Ridley Turtles. The KRRT should reconsider the Hildebrand (1963) arribada Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland. estimate for 1947, in the context of more recent estimates (e.g., Dickerson and Dickerson, 2006). Continued use of Hildebrand’s PRITCHARD, P.C.H. 1990. Kemp’s ridleys are rarer than we thought. (1963) estimate as a benchmark from which to gauge Kemp’s Marine Turtle Newsletter 49:1-3. ridley recovery, or for setting downlisting or delisting criteria is TEWG (Turtle Expert Working Group). 1998. An assessment of the questionable. Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle populations in the Western North Atlantic. NOAA Technical Acknowledgments: I am grateful to Carole Allen, Michael Coyne, Benny Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-409, 96 pp. Gallaway, André Landry, and Peter Pritchard who reviewed the manuscript and made many helpful suggestions. I also appreciated comments TEWG (Turtle Expert Working Group). 2000. Assessment Update for and suggestions from an anonymous reviewer and from Marine Turtle the Kemp’s ridley and loggerhead sea turtle populations in the Western Newsletter Editor Matthew Godfrey. North Atlantic. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-444, 115 pp. CAILLOUET, C.W., JR. 2000a. Sea turtle culture: Kemp’s ridley and loggerhead turtles. In: R.R. Stickney (Ed.), Encyclopedia of USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) & NMFS (National Marine Aquaculture, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. Fisheries Service). 1992. Recovery Plan for the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys kempii. USFWS, Albuquerque, NM, and NMFS, CAILLOUET, C.W., JR. 2000b. Letter to the editors: which Kemp’s ridley Washington, D.C., 40 pp. nest numbers are correct? Marine Turtle Newsletter 87:14. WIBBELS, T. In press. Sex determination and sex ratios in ridley turtles. CAILLOUET, C. W., JR. 2005. Guest Editorial: Wild and headstarted In: P. Plotkin (Ed.). In press. Biology and Conservation of Ridley Kemp’s ridley nesters, eggs, hatchlings, nesting beaches and adjoining Turtles. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland. nearshore waters in Texas should receive greater protection. Marine Turtle Newsletter 110:1-3. WOODY, J.B. 1985. Kemp’s ridley continues decline. Marine Turtle Newsletter 35:4-5. CARR, A. 1977. Crisis for the Atlantic ridley. Marine Turtle Newsletter 4:2-3. WOODY, J.B. 1989. International efforts in the conservation and management of Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi), In: CSTC (Committee on Sea Turtle Conservation). 1990. Decline of the Sea C.W. Caillouet, Jr. & A.M. Landry, Jr. (Ed.). Proceedings of the First Turtles: Causes and Prevention. National Academy Press, Washington, International Symposium on Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Biology, D.C., 259 pp. Conservation and Management. Texas A & M University, Sea Grant College Program, TAMU SG 89 105, vi plus 260 pp. COYNE, M. in press. Population sex ratio and its impact on population models. In: P. Plotkin (Ed.). Biology and Conservation of Ridley Turtles. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page Guest Editorial: Sea Turtle Subpopulations and the IUCN Red List: A Complementary Role for Conservation Genetics
Eugenia Naro-Maciel1 and Angela Formia2 1Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, and Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY USA (E-mail: [email protected]); 2Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, Via Romana 17, 50125, Firenze, Italy (E-mail: [email protected])
A recent MTN editorial discussed categorization of marine be significant differentiation among several rookery pairs in these chelonians on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species analyses as well (Formia & Bruford in press; Carreras et al. 2006; (Mrosovsky 2006), commenting on genetic research in reference Dutton 2006; Naro-Maciel 2006; Carreras et al. in press). Whether to the subpopulation status of Mediterranean green sea turtles the levels of genetic differentiation elucidated in ongoing studies will (Chelonia mydas). Until recently, these turtles were considered meet current IUCN subpopulation criteria in some cases, however, a Critically Endangered subpopulation (IUCN 2004). However, is presently an open question. due to a lack of supporting documentation (Mast et al. 2006), they are no longer listed separately from the species as a whole (IUCN 1. Which lines of evidence are to be considered in Red Listing 2006). Mrosovsky (2006) comments on conservation priorities sea turtle subpopulations? and Red Listing of broadly distributed taxa, issues with potential Genetic, mark-recapture, and satellite telemetry data are ramifications for sea turtle conservation worldwide (Broderick et important sources of information about linkages among sea al. 2006a; Mrosovsky 2004; Seminoff 2004). The purpose of this turtle populations. Although previous studies have illuminated article is to stimulate discussion of questions raised, rather than relationships among many groups, all of these methods are impacted answered, by Mrosovsky (2006) about the role of conservation to some extent by biological, logistical, or analytical constraints. genetic research in subpopulation Red Listing. Addressing these Tagging studies do not indicate the route taken by the turtle, and may is one way of enhancing transparency and objectivity in the listing be affected by tag loss, monitoring intensity, sample size, and other process. These important and potentially controversial issues stem factors. Tracking research is often limited by small sample sizes or from the IUCN definition of a subpopulation, and its applicability data quality issues. Certain commonly employed genetic estimates to sea turtle rookeries: of population subdivision and numbers of migrants may suffer from “Subpopulations are defined as geographically or otherwise lack of resolution or rest on unmet assumptions (Bossart & Prowell distinct groups in the population between which there is little 1998; Pearse & Crandall 2004). Although new approaches are being demographic or genetic exchange (typically one successful developed to address such issues (for example Beerli 1998; Pritchard migrant individual or gamete per year or less).” (IUCN 2001) et al. 2000), these often come with their own sets of assumptions and constraints. An integrated approach considering results of Background demographic and tracking research is therefore recommended when Female sea turtles tend to return to their natal regions to nest interpreting genetic data (Dutton et al.2002). (reviewed in Miller 1996), while less is known about breeding The necessity and relative importance of insights from different males. Early demographic studies uncovered the striking nest site fields in Red List categorization can vary. The subpopulation fidelity of many females (reviewed in Miller 1996). Subsequently, definition above refers to “geographically or otherwise distinct maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) research groups …between which there is little demographic or genetic demonstrated the isolation of many rookeries or rookery groups, exchange,” allowing for distinctiveness that need not be genetic. supporting Carr’s (1967) natal homing hypothesis (reviewed by In some cases, subpopulations have been listed despite the need for Bowen & Karl 1996). Analysis of male and female mtDNA from additional genetic studies (Bearzi 2003). There is also no consensus Australian green turtle breeding areas reveal similar and significant on the relative importance of nDNA or mtDNA research in Red List levels of population structure, indicating philopatric behavior in both categorization of sea turtles. As mentioned above, differentiation sexes (FitzSimmons et al. 1997a). Tagging and telemetry data also among rookeries is less pronounced in nDNA than in mtDNA suggest fidelity of green sea turtle males to courtship sites, at least analyses, possibly due to the homogenizing influence of gene flow in some locations (Balazs 1980; Dizon & Balazs 1982; Limpus detectable at nuclear loci. Thus, estimates of rookery isolation 1993). Biparentally inherited non-protein coding nuclear (nDNA) using microsatellites are less likely to meet the IUCN definition. markers such as microsatellites, however, indicate there may be Even so, and while not specifically referring to the Red List, gene flow among breeding populations. In green sea turtles, gene Bowen et al. (2005) consider that “Male-mediated gene flow does flow is thought to occur during spatially overlapping reproductive not detract from the classification of breeding areas as independent migrations (FitzSimmons et al. 1997a; 1997b), and may be mediated populations” (p. 2398). Mrosovsky (2006), on the other hand, finds by males (Karl et al. 1992; Roberts et al. 2004). Even so, most green the relatively low levels of differentiation suggested by non-protein sea turtle rookery pairs in Australia are significantly differentiated coding nDNA to be more important in IUCN subpopulation listing in microsatellite as well as in mtDNA analyses (FitzSimmons than the isolation indicated by mtDNA. However, if results among et al. 1997a; 1997b). Recent preliminary research examining markers do conflict an essential first step should be to determine microsatellite loci in various sea turtle species suggests there may whether additional work is needed specifically to address issues of
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page IUCN subpopulation Red Listing. With improving methods and definition for sea turtles should at the very least take into account technology, increased sample sizes, additional markers examined, similar decisions made by other specialist groups, and be considered and more sites included, apparent conflicts may be lessened or within the larger context of the IUCN goals. clarified in subsequent research. Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Annette Broderick, Carlos 2. To what extent do sea turtle breeding populations worldwide Carreras, Matthew Godfrey, Stephen Karl, Jeffrey Seminoff, Manjula qualify as IUCN Red List subpopulations? Tiwari, and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments, information, While philopatric behavior tends to isolate rookeries, does gene materials, and/or discussions. flow homogenize them enough that they fail to meet the currently BALAZS, G. H. 1980. Synopsis of biological data on the green turtle in the accepted IUCN subpopulation definition? Does the only sea turtle Hawaiian Islands. NOAA Tech. Memo, NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFC-7. subpopulation ever to appear on the IUCN Red List separately from BEARZI, G. 2003. Delphinus delphis (Mediterranean subpopulation). the species in fact meet these criteria? To address these questions, a In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
PEARSE, D.E. & K.A. CRANDALL 2004. Beyond FST: analysis of GODLEY, B.J., S. RICHARDSON, A.C. BRODERICK, M.S. COYNE, population genetic data for conservation. Conservation Genetics 5: F. GLEN & G.C. HAYS. 2002. Long-term satellite telemetry of the 585-602. movements and habitat utilization by green turtles in the Mediterranean. Ecography 25: 352-362. Pritchard, J.K., M. Stephens & P. Donnelly. 2000. Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype data. Genetics 155: IUCN. 2001. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. IUCN 945-959. Species Survival Commission, Gland, Switzerland. 30 pp (Available at: www.iucnredlist.org/info/categories_criteria). ROBERTS, M.A., T.S. SCHWARTZ & S.A. KARL. 2004. Global population genetic structure and male-mediated gene flow in the green IUCN. 2004. Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. sea turtle (Chelonia mydas): analysis of microsatellite loci. Genetics IUCN. 2006. Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. 166: 1857-1870. Karl, S.A., B.W. Bowen & J.C. Avise. 1992. Global population SEMINOFF, J. 2004. Sea turtles, Red Listing, and the need for regional structure and male-mediated gene flow in the green turtle (Chelonia assessments. Marine Turtle Newsletter 106: 4-6.
Commentary: What is a Subpopulation?
N. Mrosovsky Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5 Canada (E-mail: [email protected])
The editorial by Naro-Maciel & Formia (MTN 114: 6-8) is a welcome sign that red listing is currently receiving serious and informed airing in the sea turtle community. With respect to the status of green turtles in the Mediterranean, it is noticeable that the “preliminary research” suggesting that turtles in this region might qualify as an IUCN subpopulation and “may be” distinct, is supported with in press references and publications much more recent than the 1996 red listing as a subpopulation. That listing occurred without distribution of documentation to the membership of the MTSG, and without the opportunity for widespread discussion. In that context especially, but in general too, Naro-Maciel and Formia are surely right that a “complete compilation” of pertinent information is an essential first step for delineating what qualifies as a subpopulation. But what is meant by a subpopulation in IUCN’s system? I have been trying for more than a year to obtain clarification from IUCN on the use of generations versus spans of a year for assessing genetic interchange. According to my latest information, some revision of their definition of subpopulation, or some additional guidelines for its use, may soon appear on the IUCN website. But do not count on it: IUCN have been known to take longer to do things than they first say.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page Transatlantic Migration of Juvenile Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta L.) from the Strait of Gibraltar
Daniel Cejudo1, Nuria Varo-Cruz1, Ana Liria1, Juan José Castillo2, Juan Jesús Bellido2 & Luis Felipe López-Jurado1 1Department of Biology. University of Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain (E-mail: [email protected]) 2Centro de Recuperación de Especies Marinas Amenazadas (CREMA), Aula del Mar de Málaga, Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía, Spain
One of the most important nesting population of the loggerhead Oceanic juvenile turtles tagged in the eastern Atlantic have been turtle (Caretta caretta L.) in the Atlantic Ocean is situated in the reported off the North American coast (Bolten 2003), and likewise, southeastern coast of North America, with a main nucleus located individuals from the American coast have been recaptured in the in the Florida Peninsula (e.g. Dodd Jr 1988; Ehrhart et al. 2003). eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea (Bolten et al. 1992a,b; Hatchlings produced on these beaches migrate to the eastern Atlantic Margaritoulis et al. 2003). Nonetheless, over the last years, satellite helped by the current systems (Carr 1986; Bolten et al. 1992b; Bolten tracking has been the technique of choice for many researches to 2003), while the oceanic small juvenile stage of these individuals more accurately describe migration routes and the feeding grounds occurs in the waters off Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands of sea turtles. (Bolten 2003). Larger juvenile loggerheads return to their natal areas We used satellite telemetry to monitor the migration movements in the western Atlantic with an average size of approximately 50 cm of juvenile loggerhead turtles in the Strait of Gibraltar, an area SCL (46-64 cm SCL, or 6.5-11.5 years, as reported by Bjorndal et considered to be very important for the migration of this species al. 2000), where they enter a neritic juvenile stage before reaching (Camiñas 1997;). We fitted satellite-linked transmitters (PTTs) to maturity (Bolten 2003). two juvenile loggerhead turtles, named Centella and Malagueña, that Another important nesting loggerhead population is found were released in the Atlantic side of the Strait of Gibraltar, one in July in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Greece, Cyprus and Turkey) 1999 and the other in July 2000. Both animals had suffered injuries (Margaritoulis et al. 2003). Oceanic juveniles from this population related to incidental capture by fishing hooks and were successfully are distributed all along the Mediterranean basin (Margaritoulis rehabilitated in the Threatened Marine Species Rehabilitation Centre et al. 2003). The Strait of Gibraltar separates the Mediterranean of Fuengirola in Málaga, Spain (Table I). The transmitters used were Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Migratory flux of loggerhead turtles Telonics ST-10 (Mesa - Arizona, U.S.A.). These transmitters were near and through this strait has been reported in both directions 100 x 48 x 20 mm in size and 190 g in weight. Neither PTT exceeded (Camiñas 1997; López-Jurado & Andreu 1998; Margaritoulis et al. 5% of the turtle’s body weight (Aldridge & Brigham 1988). The 2003). Thanks to this connection, the Atlantic and Mediterranean transmitters were deployed following the procedures proposed by loggerhead populations share developmental habitats in the western Balazs et al. (1996) and by Dr. Alan Bolten (pers. comm.). These Mediterranean (Margaritoulis et al. 2003) and in the northeastern PTTs provided only location data; both PTTs were set with an 8 Atlantic. hours on/40 hour off transmission cycle.
Table I. Biometric data of the loggerhead turtles released and performance of their transmitters.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page Figure 1. Migratory routes of two juvenile loggerhead turtles released with satellite tags (Centella, black line; Malagueña, gray line). Circle shows the release location, and squares show the last location for each transmitter.
The transmitters successfully sent location data for six to ten it was moving to warmer zones. It should be noted that both turtles months (Table I). We filtered the data by discarding all positions with were held in captivity for several months, and thus their behavior a location class B (ARGOS 1996) as well as those corresponding after release might have been affected. Nonetheless, the injuries to transit speed of > 5 km/h (Godley et al. 2003). We did included for which these turtles were admitted to the rehabilitation centre positions with location class A, as suggested by Hays et al. (2001), were judged slight. since they were apparently quite accurate in our study turtles. Most The transatlantic movement of both turtles was carried out location points included in the analysis were location classes 1, 0 counter to the prevailing currents in the North Atlantic (Lópes- and A. Ferreira 2005), though a more detailed analysis could reveal small Following release in the Strait of Gibraltar, both turtles headed scale currents that may have helped these turtles in their migration. westwards. Centella travelled 4795 km, going 344 km off northeast It is likely that warm surface counter-currents occur during the Bermuda and transmitted its last location at approximately 950 km summer time. Both sea turtles traveled at similar swimming speeds, off Nova Scotia, Canada. Mean latitude for this movement was suggesting that they could have been affected by the currents in the 35.6º N (Fig. 1, black line). Malagueña moved in a similar fashion, same way. but at a lower latitude and in a southwest direction (towards the The two turtles tracked in this study fall within the stage that Bahamas). It stopped transmitting 4405 km far from the release site, Bolten (2003) defined as the oceanic-neritic transition. The mean at latitude 32.6ºN (Fig. 1, gray line). Centella travelled at a mean size of loggerheads found in the Strait of Gibraltar is similar to that maximum speed of 1.3 km/h (SD = 1.30, N = 67) and Malagueña at reported from the Canary Islands (50 cm SCL, A. Liria, in prep.) 1.4 km/h (SD = 1.21, N = 21). There were no significant differences and the coast of Morocco (Benhardouze 2004). Because of their between the mean maximum speed of both turtles (X2 = 0.92, df size, there is a possibility that these two tracked turtles belonged = 1, p = 0.33). to the group of loggerhead turtles that spend part of their oceanic There are several reports of transatlantic migrations of flipper- stage in the western Mediterranean Sea. Note that there appears to tagged loggerheads (e.g. Bolten et al. 1992a). Nonetheless, satellite be an influx of loggerhead juveniles from the Mediterranean to the tracking data of our study individuals provide more detailed Atlantic in warm summer months, starting in July (Camiñas 1997), information on the migration route followed, as well as the time and when these two turtles were released. speed employed. Although the transmitters failed before the turtles The different latitudes of the two migration routes may reflect likely reached a final destination, this is one of the few published that the turtles belong to different sub-populations. It may also be records of east-west Atlantic migration of loggerheads using satellite the case that there is no tightly defined migration corridor from telemetry (see Bolten et al. 1996). Centella’s last location was along the eastern to western Atlantic; rather, the trajectories undertaken the 40º N parallel, in late spring. It is possible that this turtle was reflect not only the prevailing marine currents but also other factors traveling to the foraging areas off the coast of northeastern North such as time of year, local currents, and the final destination (neritic America (Ehrhart et al. 2003). In contrast, Malagueña was located at habitat). Regardless of the reasons, the variation in migration routes a lower latitude when its transmitter failed in December, suggesting highlights a conservation concern related to incidental capture by
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 10 fisheries. Both study turtles traversed an area near the fishing grounds BOLTEN, A.B., H.R. MARTINS, K.A. BJORNDAL, M. COCCO off Madeira and Azores, where the impact of fishing activities on sea & G. GEROSA. 1992b. Caretta caretta (Loggerhead). Pelagic turtles is considered to be serious (Lópes-Ferreira 2005). movement and growth. Herpetological Review 23: 116.
Acknowledgements: This study was carried out within the framework of the CAMIÑAS, J.A. 1997. Relación entre las poblaciones de la tortuga “Proyecto de apoyo a la conservación del delfín mular (Tursiops truncatus) boba (Caretta caretta Linnaeus 1758) procedentes del Atlántico y la tortuga boba (Caretta caretta) en las islas Canarias”, project LIFE (B4- y del Mediterráneo en la región del estrecho de Gibraltar y áreas 3200/97/247). Idoya Cabrera collaborated with us in the field work, and adyacentes. Revista de la Asociación Herpetológica Española 11: Daniel Del Ordi helped us tag Centella. Pedro López and Matthew Godfrey 91-98. reviewed and translated the manuscript. The turtles were tagged at the facilities of the Centro de Recuperación de Especies Marinas Amenazadas (CREMA), Aula del Mar de Málaga (Consejería de Medio Ambiente de CARR, A. 1986. Rips, FADS, and little loggerheads. BioScience la Junta de Andalucía). We are very grateful to Brendan Godley and Lucy 36: 92-100. Hawkes for encouraging us to write this paper. The authors also wish to acknowledge the Maptool program for data analysis and graphics design. DODD, C.K. Jr. 1988. Synopsis of the Biological Data on the Maptool is a product of www.seaturtle.org. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta (Linnaeus 1758). Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Department of the Interior, Washington, ALDRIDGE, H.D.J.N. & R.M. BRIGHAM. 1988. Load carrying DC. 110pp. and maneuverability in an insectivorous bat: a test of the 5% "rule" of radiotelemetry. Journal of Mammology 69: 379-382. EHRHART, L.M., D.A. BAGLEY & W.E. REDFOOT. 2003. Loggerhead turtles in the Atlantic Ocean: geographic distribution, ARGOS. 1996. User's Manual. CLS/Service ARGOS, Toulouse. abundance, and population status. In: A. Bolten & B.E. Witherington (Eds.). Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Smithsonian Books, Washington BALAZS, G.H., R.K. MIYA & S.C. BEAVER. 1996. Procedures pp. 157-174. to attach a satellite transmitter to the carapace of an adult green turtle, Chelonia mydas. In: Keinath, J.A., D.E. Barnard, J.A. Musick GODLEY, B.J., E.H.S.M. LIMA, S. ÅKESSON, A.C. BRODERICK, & B.A. Bell (Compilers). Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual F. GLEN, M.H. GODFREY, P. LUSCHI & G.C. HAYS. 2003. Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. ����NOAA Movement patterns of green turtles in Brazilian coastal waters Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-387 pp. 21-26. described by satellite tracking and flipper tagging. Marine Ecology Progress Series 253: 279-288. BENHARDOUZE, W. 2004. La tortue marine Caretta caretta (Reptilia, Cheloniidae): interaction avec les pecheries, echouages et HAYS, G.C., S. AKESSON, B.J. GODLEY, P. LUSCHI & P. utilisation au NW du Maroc. DESA Thesis, Université Abdelmalek SANTIDRIÁN 2001. The implications of location accuracy for Essaâdi, Tetouan, Morocco. 87 pp. the interpretation of satellite-tracking data. Animal�������������������� Behaviour 61: 1035-1040. BJORNDAL, K.A., A. BOLTEN & H.R. MARTINS. 2000.������������� Somatic growth model of juvenile loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta: LÓPES-FERREIRA, R. N. 2005. Caracterização das Capturas duration of pelagic stage. Marine Ecology Progress Series 202: de Tartaruga Careta (Caretta caretta) e influência de Parâmetros 265-272. Ambientais e Pesqueiros, na Pesca Dirigida ao Espadarte (Xiphias gladius) nos Açores.Thesis, Universidade de Faro, Faro, Portugal. BOLTEN, A. 2003. Active swimmers-passive drifters: the oceanic 89 pp. juvenile stage of loggerheads in the Atlantic Ocean. In: A. Bolten & B.E. Witherington (Eds.). Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Smithsonian LÓPEZ-JURADO, L.F. & A.C. ANDREU. 1998. Caretta caretta Books, Washington pp. 63-78. (Linnaeus, 1758). In: A. Salvador (Ed.). Reptiles. Fauna Iberica, vol. 10. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid pp. BOLTEN, A.B., K.A. BJORNDAL, H.R. MARTINS & G.H. 44-56. BALAZS. 1996. Satellite telemetry of pelagic-stage juvenile loggerheads in the eastern Atlantic. In: Keinath, J.A., D.E. Barnard, MARGARITOULIS, D., R. ARGANO, I. BARAN, F. J.A. Musick & B.A. Bell (Compilers). Proceedings of the Fifteenth BENTIVEGNA, M.N. BRADAI, J.A. CAMIÑAS, P. CASALE, Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA G. DE METRIO, A. DEMETROPOULOS, G. GEROSA, B.J. Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-387 pp. 39-41. GODLEY, D.A. HADDOUD, J. HOUGHTON, L. LAURENT & B. LAZAR. 2003.�������������������������������������������������� Loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean Sea: BOLTEN, A., K.A. BJORNDAL & J.C. SANTANA. 1992a. present knowledge and conservation perspectives. In: A. Bolten Transatlantic crossing by a loggerhead turtle. Marine Turtle & B E. Witherington (Eds.). Loggerhead Sea Turtles. Smithsonian Newsletter 59: 7-8. Books, Washington pp. 175-198.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 11 On the Occurrence of Columbus Crabs (Planes minutus) from Loggerhead Turtles in Florida, USA
Michael G. Frick1, Kristina L. Williams1, Michael Bresette2, David A. Singewald2 & Richard M. Herren2 1Caretta Research Project, P.O. Box 9841, Savannah, Georgia, USA. (E-mail: [email protected]) 2Quantum Resources, 6451 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida, USA
Columbus crabs (Genus Planes) are well-documented epibionts Six turtles hosted heterosexual crab pairs (27.3 %) and 16 turtles of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), particularly the species P. hosted crabs as singletons (72.7 %). Only one female crab was not minutus from juvenile or oceanic-stage loggerheads (Dellinger et ovigerous. Ovigerous crabs carried eggs pertaining to stages 1 (50 al. 1997; Frick et al. 2004). A recent study by Carranza et al. (2003) %), 2 (16.7 %) and 3 (33.3 %) as defined by Hartnoll (1963) where reports data concerning P. minutus’ congener P. cyaneus from stage 1 eggs are eggs of uniform color and even yolk distribution, oceanic-stage loggerheads from Uruguay. The remaining recognized stage 2 eggs are eggs containing a clear area devoid of yolk and species of Columbus crab, P. marinus, has never been observed as stage 3 eggs are eggs containing pigmented eyespots. Stage 4 eggs an epibiont of any sea turtle species. (hatching) and stage 5 eggs (hatched or empty eggs) were not To date, there is a paucity of data concerning the association observed from this group of crabs. between P. minutus and neritic-stage (subadult and adult) sea Male crabs and female crabs were similar in size. The average turtles. That is, such observations simply report the occurrence of P. straight carapace widths (SCW) of males and females, including minutus as an epibiont with no supporting biological or ecological range, were 11.9 mm (9.1 – 16.5 mm) and 12.9 mm (9.8 – 18.9 information regarding the observed relationship. Here, we report the mm), respectively. A single non-ovigerous crab, included within occurrence of P. minutus as an epibiont of large, immature and adult the above average for females, was 18.9 mm SCW. loggerhead turtles from St. Lucie County, Florida, USA. We also Previous agonistic interactions were apparent in 7 specimens report behavioral, ecological and physical data from P. minutus and (3 males, 4 females; 25 % of the crabs encountered). Injuries we discuss how the occurrence of P. minutus from this population resulting from these interactions included missing chelipeds and of turtles can be used to elucidate some aspects of the behavior of walking legs; however, none of these injuries were severe as all loggerheads from Florida during the winter and early spring. crabs had developed leg buds and no crab was missing more than Collections for this study began in March of 2002 and ended in a single appendage. Four injured crabs occurred as singletons April 2003. Loggerheads that hosted P. minutus were encountered upon their respective host turtle and three injured crabs were from from March - April 2002, and from December 2002 – April 2003, heterosexual pairings. No heterosexual pair contained more than after turtles were incidentally entrained into intake canals at the one injured crab. St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant (SLNPP). The SLNPP is located on A few points concerning aspects of the natural history of both Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County, Florida and draws cooling host loggerheads and Columbus crabs can be gleaned from our data. water from the Atlantic Ocean through three large diameter pipes The morphometric data we present for ovigerous P. minutus contain (3.9 - 4.9 m). Cooling water then flows into a 1500 m long intake some of the smallest specimens reported for females with eggs. Data canal. The structures housing the intake pipes are 365 m offshore from other studies presenting similar information suggest that crabs in approximately 7 m of water. The pipe openings are vertically approximately 11 mm SCW and smaller are juveniles and most oriented and are situated 3 m above the ocean floor. A large velocity often found as Sargassum associates (see Chace 1951). These crabs cap sits approximately 2 m above each pipe opening and extends then emigrate to flotsam and turtles at the onset of sexual maturity. more than 3 m beyond the pipe diameter. Turtles encountering Although sexually immature P. minutus (9 – 13 mm SCW) can these structures are often transported into the intake canal where also be found as epibionts of turtles, albeit rarely (Dellinger et al. they are captured with tangle nets, dipnets and by SCUBA divers. 1997; Frick et al. 2004), our data do confirm that someP . minutus Morphometric data are collected from each turtle, tags are applied to are capable of attaining sexual maturity as small as 9.1 mm SCW. both front flippers and turtles are returned to the ocean approximately Moreover, it is possible that juvenile crabs collected from flotsam 750 m north of the canal. and turtles in other studies represent sub-adult specimens undergoing From March 2002 through April 2003 594 loggerheads were the initial stages of sexual maturity. captured at the SLNPP. Of these turtles, 22 individual loggerheads The relatively low percentage of P. minutus from this study (mean straight carapace length (SCL) = 74.6 ± 3.4SD cm, range = bearing injuries from agonistic interactions (25 %) is similar to 65 – 105.6 cm) hosted 28 crabs (3.7 % occurrence of P. minutus). data presented by Dellinger et al. (1997) and Frick et al. (2004) for It should be noted, however, that because collected turtles had been crabs from loggerhead turtles. The same studies also found that P. entrained and pulled through a network of pipes before entering minutus from turtles suffered markedly fewer instances of missing holding lagoons, and turtles were subsequently captured using appendages when compared to collections obtained from inanimate nets, the frequency of occurrence reported for P. minutus is likely flotsam and jetsam. Additionally, the large proportion of ovigerous much higher; as crabs can be dislodged or flee host turtles during crabs from our collection coincides with data from Dellinger et al. entrainment and hand-capture. (1997) and Frick et al. (2004). Two large collections of P. minutus Of the crabs collected, all were adults (15 males, 13 females). made by Dellinger et al. (1997), one from turtles and the other from
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 12 inanimate flotsam, demonstrate that female crabs from turtles were (> 80 cm SCL for Atlantic U.S. C. caretta; Dodd 1988) sampled brooding eggs more often (71 %) than female crabs from inanimate during this study (n = 5; 22.7 %) hosted P. minutus. flotsam (21 %). Dellinger et al. (1997) suggest that, given their During their first decade of life loggerheads are highly pelagic, reported data, turtles appear to offer a substantially better platform particularly within oceanic habitats (water masses away from the for egg brooding and, likely, production than inanimate flotsam. continental shelf ≥ 200 m deep; Hedgpeth 1957; Bolten 2003). These authors speculate that the higher instances of egg-brooding Such behavior decreases in frequency as turtles migrate from their observed in P. minutus from turtles could be attributed to the fact nursery habitats to the neritic habitats that will support them for that turtle crabs are likely exposed to better food or a larger variety the remainder of their life (Musick & Limpus 1997). However, of food items than those clinging to inanimate flotsam. it appears from data collected during epibiont and dietary studies A study by Frick et al. (2004) determined that turtle crabs that, while benthic habitats are heavily utilized by neritic stage do feed upon a larger variety of food items than crabs inhabiting loggerheads, the pelagic environment still represents an important inanimate flotsam. However, the same study found that crabs habitat for loggerheads as they mature, even into adulthood (Frick inhabiting inanimate flotsam contained similar amounts of food, et al. 2001; present study). albeit a lower diversity of prey types, as crabs from loggerhead turtles. Moreover, crabs from inanimate flotsam produced similar Acknowledgments: We thank the PADI foundation for providing the sizes and numbers of eggs as those from turtles. Yet, Frick et al. microscopy equipment used in this study and the Florida Power and Light (2004) did not examine a collection of crabs from inanimate flotsam Company for continuing to support sea turtle research at the St. Lucie as large as that examined by Dellinger et al. (1997). Therefore, the power plant. We also thank M. Godfrey, L. Campbell and two anonymous reviewers for comments that greatly improved the manuscript. former study could not offer any supporting evidence that a higher proportion of turtle crabs were brooding eggs when compared to BJORNDAL, K.A. 1997. Foraging ecology and nutrition in sea turtles. In: crabs inhabiting inanimate flotsam. Instead, a higher proportion Lutz, P.L. & J.A. Musick (Eds.) The Biology of Sea Turtles. CRC Press, of ovigerous crabs and, consequently, an increased chance of Boca Raton, pp. 199-232. encountering ovigerous crabs from turtles than from inanimate flotsam suggest that multiple annual broods produced by crabs BOLTEN, A.B. 2003. Variation in sea turtle life history patterns: neritic vs. oceanic developmental stages. In: Lutz, P.L., J.A. Musick & J. Wyneken from turtles might be occurring with greater frequency than from (Eds.) The Biology of Sea Turtles Vol. II. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. crabs inhabiting inanimate flotsam. Because agonistic interactions 243-257. between crabs on turtles are proportionately lower than agonistic interactions between crabs inhabiting inanimate flotsam (Dellinger CARRANZA, A., A. DOMINGO, A. VERDI, R. FORSELLEDO & A. et al. 1997, Frick et al. 2004), crabs from inanimate flotsam would ESTRADES. 2003. First report of an association between Planes cyaneus (Decapoda: Grapsidae) and loggerhead sea turtles in the southwestern likely experience decreased survival probabilities and reproductive Atlantic Ocean. Marine Turtle Newsletter 102: 5-7. output as energy is diverted from reproduction to repair injuries. With regard to the life history of host turtles, the occurrence of CHACE, F.A. 1951. The oceanic crabs of the genera Planes and P. minutus from neritic-stage loggerhead turtles suggests that these Pachygrapsus. Proceedings of the United States National Museum turtles were exhibiting a great deal of surface-oriented or pelagic 101: 65-103 behavior prior to their entrainment at the SLNPP; particularly DELLINGER, T., J.A. DAVENPORT & P. WIRTZ. 1997. Comparisons of during the winter and early spring. Loggerhead turtles are captured social structure of Columbus crabs living on loggerhead sea turtles and at the SLNPP year-round and turtles that hosted P. minutus were inanimate flotsam. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the encountered in December, January February, March and April 2002 United Kingdom 77: 185-194. and 2003. As previously mentioned, Columbus crabs cling to most DODD, C.K, JR. 1988. Synopsis of the biological data on the loggerhead anything that floats. Physically and physiologically, Planes are sea turtle Caretta caretta (Linnaeus 1758). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service surface-water specialists and these aspects are likely attributable to Biological Report 88(14). 110 p. the colonization of other grapsid species into supra-littoral habitats FRICK, M.G., C.A. QUINN & C.K. SLAY. 1999. Dermochelys coriacea and maritime forests (Williams 1984). (leatherback sea turtle), Lepidochelys kempi (Kemp’s ridley sea Although loggerhead turtles inhabiting the western North turtle), and Caretta caretta (loggerhead sea turtle). Pelagic foraging. Atlantic, particularly the southeastern US, are most often referred Herpetological Review 30: 165. to as largely benthic-associated animals, dietary studies reveal that FRICK, M.G., C.K. SLAY, C.A. QUINN, A. WINDHAM-REID, P.A. some prey items consumed by neritic-stage loggerheads are actually DULEY, C.M. RYDER & L.J. MORSE. 2000. Aerial observations largely pelagic species (i.e. Aurelia aurita and Physalia physalis; of courtship behavior in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from Bjorndal 1997; Frick et al. 2001). Moreover, a study by Frick et al. southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida. Journal of Herpetology (1999) reports several accounts of pelagic foraging by loggerhead 34: 153-158. turtles during the winter and early spring in Florida, often alongside FRICK, M.G., K.L. WILLIAMS & L. PIERRARD. 2001. Summertime leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) – a turtle species that foraging and feeding by immature loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) is well-documented to spend a great deal of time in the pelagic from Georgia. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4: 178-181. environment (Bolten 2003). Such observations might indicate why the turtles encountered during the present study hosted a pelagic FRICK, M.G., K.L. WILLIAMS, A.B. BOLTEN, K.A. BJORNDAL & H.R. MARTINS. 2004. Diet and fecundity of Columbus crabs, Planes minutus, species such as P. minutus. Additionally, surface-active behavior associated with oceanic-stage loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, and such as courtship and mating that occurs in Florida during the early inanimate flotsam. Journal of Crustacean Biology 24: 350-355. spring (Frick et al. 2000) might explain why large adult-sized turtles Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 13 HARTNOLL, R.G. 1963. The biology of manx spider crabs. Proceedings MUSICK, J.A. & C.J. LIMPUS. 1997. Habitat utilization and migration of the Zoological Society of London 141: 423-496. in juvenile sea turtles. In: Lutz, P.L. & J.A. Musick (Eds.) The Biology of Sea Turtles. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 137-163. HEDGPETH, J. 1957. Classification of marine environments and concepts of marine ecology. In: Hedgpeth, J. (Ed.) The Treatise on Marine Ecology WILLIAMS, A.B. 1984. Shrimps, lobsters and crabs of the Atlantic coast of and Paleontology Vol. I, Ecology. Memoir No. 67 of The Geological the eastern United States, Maine to Florida. Smithsonian Institute Press, Society of America. Geological Society of America, NY. 550 pp. Washington, DC, 550 pp.
Hawksbill Turtle Tracking as Part of Initial Sea Turtle Research and Conservation at Groote Eylandt, Northern Australia
Scott D. Whiting1, Simon Hartley2, Simeon Lalara2, Damian White1, Tony Bara2, Christopher Maminyamunja2 & Laban Wurramarrba2 1WWF-Australia PO Box 1268, Darwin, NT, 0801 (E-mail: [email protected]) 2Sea Ranger Unit, Anindilyakwa Land Council PO Box 172 Alyangula NT 0885
Limited sea turtle research has been conducted in the Gulf of and followed the coastline northward until she reached a rocky reef Carpentaria in northern Australia because of its remoteness and area near Maningrida 21 days later. She remained at this location for inaccessibility. Groote Eylandt lies in the north east of the Gulf seven weeks before transmissions ceased. Although this transmitter of Carpentaria and is a large continental island (area of over produced only a small percentage (8%) of good quality (Class 3, 2, 2260 km2) with many smaller associated islands, all of which are 1 – Argos 1996) results, her migration path was easily identified. Aboriginal owned. The population of 2500 resides in two main This study was the first to track post-nesting hawksbill turtles in Aboriginal communities and in one urban centre associated with Australia and identified the first migration route for an Australian mining operations. Green, hawksbill, flatback and olive ridley nesting hawksbill outside the rookeries on the east coast of turtles nest on the main and associated islands (Chatto 1998) and Queensland. This tracking project proved very successful in raising green and hawksbill turtles are resident in the local waters. In 2001 awareness of sea turtle biology and management in the Aboriginal the Anindilyakwa Land Council established an Aboriginal Sea communities on Groote Eylandt through the public interface of Ranger Unit to manage marine species and their habitats. Sea turtle STAT (Coyne & Godley 2005). By mapping movements which management was a priority and as part of initial sea turtle research, intersected the hunting grounds of many Traditional Owners, satellite transmitters were attached to two post-nesting hawksbill Numarngainyamba’s migration clearly demonstrated in a non- turtles. The objectives of the tracking study were to; 1) identify technical fashion why sea turtle conservation needs the cooperation migration paths of two turtles; 2) increase awareness of sea turtle of many communities and stakeholders. The rangers have included biology and conservation among all residents on Groote Eylandt this message in numerous community talks, presentations to and 3) increase enthusiasm for management. government and local schools, and informally throughout their Satellite transmitters (PTTs) (KiwiSat 101 – Sirtrack Pty own communities. Ltd) were attached using epoxy (Mitchell 1998) to the carapace Further, the degree of interest in this project has provided the of two hawksbill turtles immediately after oviposition on North impetus for the establishment of track, nest and harvest surveys East Island, 12 km NE of Groote Eylandt on 2 August 2005. at key rookeries within the Groote archipelago. If maintained, the The turtles were named Numarngainyamba (meaning Cheeky) value of this long-term data, in one of Australia remotest areas, and Numinuwurrariyaamakilya (meaning Bad Skin) in the local will be a significant, desirable and an unexpected outcome of this Anindilyakwa language by the Traditional Owners and Sea Rangers. tracking study. The Argos data were analysed using STAT (Coyne & Godley Acknowledgements: Funding was provided for this project by the Lisette 2005). Lewis Foundation. Satellite transmitters were provided by WWF-Australia. Numinuwurrariyaamakilya remained in the vicinity of the Boats and equipment were provided by the Anindilyakwa Land Council. nesting beach for 43 weeks. Her transmitter produced poor results; Fieldwork assistance was provided by Alec Wurramara and Phillip transmitting for 5 weeks, remaining dormant for 26 weeks and Mamarika. transmitting intermittently for a further 12 weeks. However, the results were sufficient to indicate no long distance migration. ARGOS. 1996. Location and data collection satellite system user’s guide. Numarngainyamba made a straight-line post-nesting migration Service Argos, Toulouse, France. of 600 km (Fig. 1). She remained in the vicinity of the nesting CHATTO, R. 1998. A preliminary overview of the locations of marine beach for 89 days and laid a further five clutches of eggs turtle nesting in the Northern Territory. In: R. Kennett, A. Webb, M. (based on renesting intervals of 14.2 days, Dobbs et al. 1999). Guinea & G. Hill (Eds). Marine Turtle Conservation and Management Numarngainyamba then moved directly to the mainland of Australia in Northern Australia, Northern Territory Univ., Darwin. pp. 33-40.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 14 COYNE M.S. & B.J. GODLEY. 2005. Satellite Tracking and Analysis Tool Abreu-Grobois, R. Briseno-Duenas, R. Marquez & L. Sarti (Compilers). (STAT): An integrated system for archiving, analyzing and mapping Proceedings of the Eighteenth International Sea Turtle Symposium. animal tracking data. Marine Ecology Progress Series 301: 1-7. U.S. Dept. of Commerce. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS- SEFSC-436. pp 254-255. DOBBS, K.A., J.D. MILLER, C.J. LIMPUS & A.M. LANDRY, Jr. 1999. Hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, nesting at Milman Island, SEATURTLE.ORG Maptool. 2002. SEATURTLE.ORG, Inc. http://www. northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Chelonian Conservation & seaturtle.org/maptool/ (downloaded 20 May 2006). Biology 3: 344-362. MITCHELL, S.V. 1998. Use of epoxy in telemeter attachment. In: F.A.
Figure 1. Post-nesting migration route of Numarngainyamba from North East Island, northern Australia in 2005. Map created using Maptool (SEATURTLE.ORG Maptool 2002).
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 15 Lower nesting success of flatback turtles caused by disorientation
Andrea U. Koch & Michael L. Guinea Charles Darwin University, Faculty of Education, Health & Science, Darwin Northern Territory 0909 Australia (E-mail: [email protected])
Nesting behaviour of sea turtles is stereotyped and typified by turtles beach where water remained throughout the day. While there was making their way directly up the beach, making a body pit, digging water in the channel, turtles were not disturbed by the ridge with all an egg chamber, laying their eggs, covering the eggs, scattering turtles having a successful ascent up the beach – exhibiting similar sand over them, and returning to the sea (detailed process in another nesting behaviour to that previously observed by flatback turtles species described by Hendrickson 1958). The physical environment at Bare Sand Island during 1996-2003 by nesting on or directly causes deviations to this process when debris and man-made barriers in front of the primary dune. The channelling of water along the cause nesting attempts to be aborted. beach caused greater erosion that increased the depth of the runnel Several hundred flatback sea turtles (Natator depressus) nest on throughout the season. Bare Sand Island each year. This rookery is about 50 km west of All successful nests hatching emerged on the landward side of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia, and is typical of the low- the ridge causing much disorientation of hatchlings on their path energy beaches in the area. The main nesting beach faces west, is to the water. As hatchlings entered the runnel, their view of the composed of fine sand, and rises gently from the low water region to low light horizon was disrupted. Many walked parallel to the shore a small primary dune. Wave action is slight but tidal variation reaches towards the lower light horizon (using sea finding mechanisms 8 metres during spring tides. Winds are a significant influence on described by Limpus 1971) orientating towards the water at the far beach formation with the southeast monsoon establishing during end of the beach some 500 m away. Many of the hatchling tracks in the dry-season months from May to October, the peak sea turtle the trough terminated at either crab or bird tracks with only a few nesting period, and the northwest monsoon dominating during the making their way over the ridge to the waters edge. The persistence wet season months of November to February. of water in the channel throughout the day during spring high tides In 2004 and 2005, the normal nesting behaviour of flatback trapped hatchlings in the channel well into the daylight hours, further sea turtles at Bare Sand Island was disrupted by the presence of increasing their chances of predation and reducing their survivorship an intertidal ridge and runnel in the middle of the beach that was (Pilcher & Enderby 2001). exposed at neap tides and low and mid spring tides. The ridge was This is the first observation of the formation of an intertidal ridge formed parallel to the strand by natural wind and wave action during at Bare Sand Island that is persistent in the dry-season months. The the preceding wet seasons. The crest of this ridge varied from 0.3 to intertidal ridge was more pronounced in 2004 than in 2005, resulting 1.5 metres in height above the runnel that filled with water during in greater disturbance to sea turtle nesting activity during the 2004 spring high tides. This ridge and runnel behind it confused and nesting season. After failed nesting attempts, turtles generally came disorientated nesting flatback sea turtles and their hatchlings leading back on subsequent nights and continued attempting to ascend the to lower nesting success and higher hatchling mortality. beach until a successful ascent past the intertidal ridge was made Nesting sea turtles were monitored nightly for five weeks in which would generally result in successful nesting. This process each of 2004 and 2005 and their behaviour was opportunistically often continued until the following spring high tides, when most sea observed from the edge of the dune vegetation when sufficient turtles nested successfully. The impact on individual’s reproductive moonlight or daylight allowed. On other occasions, the tracks were output for the season due to this additional energy expenditure is followed and paths were measured in daylight to minimise potential unknown. This intertidal ridge has been present for two subsequent observer effects on the nesting turtles. nesting seasons. Long-term effects on the nesting population may Nesting sea turtles crossed the beach exhibiting typical behaviour occur if the intertidal ridge remains in subsequent years, potentially similar to green turtles as described by Hendrickson (1958) until causing turtles to choose other nesting beaches. This paper shows that they reached the crest of an intertidal ridge. Few turtles would beach structure or form has major implications to nesting behaviour proceed downwards into the runnel before ascending the vegetated and should be considered during any development or beach dune of the beach (< 5 % during neap and low and mid spring modification including sand mining and artificial beach nourishment. tides), with most turtles zigzagged their way along the crest until Acknowledgements: Thank you to Scott Whiting for comments on the ultimately returning to the water without nesting (54.8 % during manuscript and comments from Blair Witherington during review. neap and low and mid spring tides in 2004, n= 31; and 12.2 % in 2005, n= 49). Tidal height and the height of the ridge affected this HENDRICKSON, J. 1958. The green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas (Linn.), behaviour. During the neap tides turtles approaching the crest would in Malaya and Sarawak. Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of London 130: 455-535. generally slow their speed noticeably and zigzag along the ridge for as much as 150 m before heading back to the water for a few meters LIMPUS, C.J. 1971. Sea turtle ocean finding behaviour. Search 2: 385-7. and then turning around to continue their ascent further along the PILCHER, N.J. & S. ENDERBY. 2001. Effects of prolonged retention in beach. When the spring tide height was greater than 6.6 m water hatcheries on green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchling swimming speed became trapped in the runnel forming a channel along the nesting and survival. Journal of Herpetology 35: 633-638. Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 16 IUCN-MTSG Quarterly Report
Marine Turtle Specialist Group Hosts Third Burning Issues Workshop, August 2006
Roderic B. Mast1, Nicolas J. Pilcher2, Brian J. Hutchinson1 & Alec Hutchinson1 1Conservation International, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, 1919 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 USA (E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]) 2Marine Research Foundation, 136 Lorong Pokok Seraya 2, Taman Khidmat, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (E-mail: [email protected])
Introduction these documents reflect the highest possible degree of accuracy and The MTSG Burning Issues 3 (BI-3) Workshop was convened to scientific rigor, as well as maximum involvement from the MTSG revisit, revise, and expand the MTSG’s “Burning Issues” prior- membership. Criteria for participation and composition of the ity-setting process, which began at the MTSG Vision and Mission ASC were discussed, and the Co-Chairs have begun the process of Retreat in December 2003, and continued with the Burning Issues establishing this committee. We envision this body being staffed 2 (BI-2) Workshop in August 2005. A group of some 21 MTSG and fully functional prior to the end of 2006. members, hailing from several countries, and including both The ASC will steward a process that begins with the selection MTSG Co-Chairs and five Regional Vice Chairs, gathered at the of qualified Assessors. These Assessors will prepare preliminary Headquarters of Conservation International in Washington, DC for species Assessments based on the IUCN criteria, which the ASC a period of three days. Through plenary discussions at the meeting will distribute for peer review by other leading experts. Necessary and in preparatory discussions by the BI-3 Co-Chairs (A. Bolten, changes will then be made by the Assessors under the direction of M. Chaloupka, and R. Mast), five main objectives were identified the ASC before each assessment is posted on the MTSG website. for the BI-3 meeting: Membership will be notified and provided a suitable comment 1. Review and validate the BI Mission and progress to date, period during which to offer public and/or private opinions, address concerns voiced by MTSG members, and sketch-out question the Assessors, and hopefully shed light on new data that a tentative multi-year work plan; may be pertinent. Red List species assessments are perhaps the 2. Review progress and procedure for Red List assessments most publicly valuable contribution that the MTSG can make to and other types of risk assessments and priority-setting the conservation of sea turtles, and they must serve as examples of techniques; our group’s professionalism and commitment. 3. Develop an internet survey tool (and a strategy, timeline and The ASC will also look into other aspects of priority setting work plan for its use) that will allow the MTSG to regularly for sea turtle research and conservation, beyond global-scale Red access the collective wisdom, knowledge and expert opinion Listing. As such, it was agreed that the MTSG, with guidance from of our far-flung membership; the new ASC, would commit in earnest to undertaking regional sea 4. Discuss ways to communicate BI Results broadly; turtle status assessments in each of the world’s four major ocean 5. Create a list of “Top Un-Answered Questions/Mysteries” basins for sea turtles (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Mediterranean). about sea turtle natural history, the understanding of which These exercises will be scheduled with the assistance of the Regional will better guide conservation and management efforts; Vice-Chairs, and will also serve as fora for team-building and technical training among our members. Red Listing and other Assessments Moreover, it was agreed that the ASC would draft an overview of One of our most important mandates from the IUCN is the timely what some of the most critical assessment and priority setting issues and accurate assessment of all sea turtle species, which is a time are for sea turtles, including a critical look at why the IUCN Red consuming, complex and difficult task. For the past 18 months, the List Criteria are not perfectly suited to globally ranging, long-lived, MTSG’s Red Listing efforts have been spear-headed by Dr. Jeffrey slow reproducing creatures, and how complementary assessment Seminoff, who prior to accepting the post also authored the 2004 Red methodologies, such as regional assessments, can help to round-out List Assessment for Chelonia mydas. Jeff made a very compelling our understanding of sea turtle status. Drs. Kartik Shanker and Jeff presentation at BI-3, including a preliminary review of the results Seminoff volunteered to take a lead in producing this overview. of the survey sent to MTSG members several weeks ago. His talk set the stage for a lengthy discussion, from which several important MTSG Member Surveys decisions derived concerning the future directions of Red List and The group also discussed the importance of better understanding other types of priority assessments within the MTSG. the nature of our membership and enhancing networking and The group concluded, as have other Specialist Groups before us, communications among our some 300 far-flung members worldwide. that managing Red Listing is a greater burden than a single volunteer Discussions centered on the development of an internet survey tool can handle. As such, the group unanimously agreed upon the need to engage the membership, harness the collective knowledge of the to create an Assessments Steering Committee (ASC). Under the group to identify priorities, and make the BI meetings and outputs direction of the Co-Chairs, the ASC will assume responsibility for more transparent. The group decided that surveys should be the timely completion of Red List Assessments, and will assure that performed a few times a year and take no longer than 10-15 minutes Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 17 to complete. Surveys should be conducted in English, French, and “the major unanswered questions about sea turtle natural history, Spanish. The network of Regional Vice-Chairs will be asked to help the knowledge of which will help us to better conserve these ensure participation from members in their region. Each survey will animals and their habitats.” The purpose of this list is to highlight be focused around a general theme, and results will be reported to these important questions, and to guide the MTSG membership, the respondents and to the entire MTSG as soon as possible after students, researchers, conservationists, and donors towards a focus completion. The results of each survey will be used by the MTSG on the highest priority issues in sea turtle conservation. While to set priorities, act as an early warning mechanism for crises, and not exhaustive, the list can be used for many purposes, including improve the MTSG’s ability to achieve its mission. Marketing survey public outreach and awareness, and will aid the MTSG in fulfilling expert, Peter Schireson (of Schireson Associates, www.schireson. our mission. com), has agreed to work with the group to implement the survey. Prior to the meeting, a survey was sent via email to the entire During a group teleconference with Mr. Schireson, the group asked MTSG membership in English, Spanish and French in order to elicit a number of questions including, principally: will an internet survey feedback on what are the most important unanswered questions be an effective tool for engaging members?; how can we encourage relating to sea turtle natural history. At the BI-3 meeting, the participation in the survey?; what is the process for constructing the MTSG member survey responses were (anonymously) compiled survey?; and, what does Mr. Schireson need from the group in order and grouped into thematic categories, reviewed for redundancy, to construct the surveys? and reexamined to create a consolidated list of “Key Unsolved Following the discussion with Peter Schireson, the group began Mysteries.” These seven Key Unsolved Mysteries are, in no to develop questions for each survey based on Mr. Schireson’s particular order, as follows: guidance. Throughout the afternoon of Day 2 and morning of Day 3, the group drafted the first two surveys to be reviewed by Mr. Where do sea turtles spend their first years of life? Schireson, adjusted, tested, translated, and ultimately sent to the What are the ecological roles of sea turtles, and how many do MTSG membership. The BI Working Group set a goal to complete we need to fulfill those roles? both surveys and have results tabulated and analyzed by the MTSG Annual General Meeting at the 27th Annual Sea Turtle Symposium What proportion of male sea turtles is necessary to maintain in Myrtle Beach, SC, USA in February of 2007. a healthy population? How do sea turtles sense their environment? The Major Unanswered Questions of Sea Turtle Natural How do sea turtles navigate? History How will global warming affect sea turtles? Expanding on the priority-setting efforts of the first two Burning What causes fibropapillomas? Issues efforts, one of the objectives of BI-3 was to develop a list of
Meeting Report
The Fifth Reunion of Mediterranean Sea Turtle Specialists at the 26th Annual International Sea Turtle Symposium in Crete, Greece, 3-4 April 2006
Paolo Casale1, Dimitrios Dimopoulos2, Mohamed Nada3, Aliki Panagopoulou2 & Dimitris Margaritoulis4 1WWF Italy, via Po 25c 00198 Roma, Italy (E-mail: [email protected])rvation.org); 2ARCHELON-The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece Solomou 57, GR-10432 Athens, Greece (E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]); 3Save the Sea Turtles Project (FEAA & MEDAS- SET), 394 Ahmed Shawkey street, Mostafa Kamel, Alexandria, Egypt (E-mail: [email protected]) 4IUCN/MTSG, Regional Vice-Chair for Mediterranean, P.O.Box 51154, GR-14510 KIFISSIA, Greece (E-mail: [email protected])
For the first time, an Annual Sea Turtle Symposium was held in Meeting of LIFE-Nature projects on marine turtles (Day 1) the Mediterranean, and this made the Reunion of Mediterranean (Chair: A. Panagopoulou; Facilitator: P. Casale). Specialist an event extremely rich in participation and discussion. The meeting was focused on the contribution of LIFE-Nature About 80 people attended, from 14 Mediterranean countries and Projects (co-funded by the European Commission) in sea turtle from other five countries in Europe, America and Australia. The conservation in the Mediterranean, in particular projects on fisheries reunion was held on the 3rd and 4th of April 2006 in the Capsis Beach interaction with sea turtles. Representatives from different projects Hotel, Aghia Pelaghia, Crete, Greece, the������������������������ same venue of the 26th Sea were R. Sagarminaga (Spanish Cetacean Society), C. Carreras Turtle Symposium (3-8 Apr 2006; MTN 113:11-13), it was chaired (Dopana Biological Station –Valencia), C. Giacoma (University of by P. Casale and was structured in the following sessions. Torino), S. Nannarelli (CTS) and A. Koutsodendris (ARCHELON),
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 18 who presented methods to mitigate the consequences of sea turtle’s The current status of sea turtle conservation in the Mediterranean: accidental capture in fisheries e.g.( use of circle hooks), as well as a country-by-country overview (Day 2) (Chair: P. Casale). its strengths and weaknesses. The main conclusions of the meeting As proposed at the Fourth reunion (MTN 108:22), a special session were: the project results should be made available to DG Fisheries was dedicated this year to present to the audience an updated as well as DG Environment for the implementation of relevant situation about turtle conservation and related initiatives in the policies; fishermen and their needs should be taken into account most important countries for sea turtle conservation. The following while designing policies and mitigation measures. persons (mostly MTSG members) gave thoughtful presentations on 16 countries/areas: I. Haxhiu (Albania), B. Lazar (Croatia and Panel discussion “The involvement of local communities in the Slovenia), W. Fuller (Cyprus, north coast), A. Demetropoulos management of nesting beaches in the Mediterranean” (Day 1) (Cyprus, south coast), M. Nada (Egypt), A. Panagopoulou (Greece), (Chair: M. Nada). Y. Levi (Israel), P. Casale & F. Bentivegna (Italy), M. Aureggi The discussion aimed at exploring what are the enabling and disabling (Lebanon), A. Hamza (Libya), M. Aksissou (Morocco), J. Tomas factors affecting the active involvement of local communities in & C. Carreras (Spain), A. Rees (Syria), M. Bradai (Tunisia), F. conservation initiatives. During the meeting, three case studies were Demirayak & O. Turkozan (Turkey). presented from Crete, Greece (by A. Petrandonaki), Cephalonia, Greece (by K. Xenopoulou) and Cirali, Turkey (by B. Kutle). The Panel discussion “The National Marine Park of Zakynthos, main lesson learned were: community involvement at the different Greece” (Day 2) (Chair: D. Dimopoulos) stages of conservation initiatives, along with key government and The panel comprised T. Arapis (ARCHELON), C. Chryssomalis informal leaders, is a key element in achieving sustainable outcomes; (Ministry of Environment), D. Karavellas (WWF Greece), K. understanding the needs and priorities of each target group is Katselidis (National Marine Park of Zakynthos) and L. Venizelos essential for tailoring conservation approaches and entry points; (Medasset). Their presentations drew a stark picture of the current and promoting rights of local communities and other stakeholder status of the NMPZ and the nesting beaches. The lack of political should be accompanied with identification of their responsibilities will and the non existence of a national strategy for protected areas and roles in conservation. The participants concluded that while in Greece led the Management Agency of the NMPZ to stop its work conservation initiatives are currently acknowledging the importance three years after its establishment. For the next two years it did not of community role in conservation, this issue is not thoroughly operate and only recently has it resumed operation, however with studied and more emphasis should focus on exploring best practices an ambiguous future. The status of the nesting beaches is deteriorat- and documenting lesson learned. ing especially that of Daphni which has experienced some severe alterations and the 13 illegal buildings remain in operation flouting The Mediterranean Rescue Centre Network (Day 1) (Chair: A. existing legislation and all court decisions for their demolition. In Panagopoulou) the end the body unanimously endorsed a resolution to minimize As a follow-up of an important conclusion of the Workshop on the disturbances of nesting loggerhead turtles by tourist activities Rehabilitation of Injured Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean (Glyfada, on Zakynthos, prepared by ARCHELON and WWF Greece and Athens 20-22/11/2004 – MTN 108:26), this meeting had as its main then submitted to and accepted by the plenary of the ISTS (MTN objective to move forward with the idea of creating a Network of 113:11-13). Rescue Centres in the Mediterranean. During the meeting, everyone agreed that it is important to have communication flow and exchange In addition to the above sessions, three presentations (P) were given of experiences and know-how among sea turtle rehabilitation and two videos (V) projected during the two days: facilities across the region. It was also agreed that although there are (P) “Regional Red Listing of Sea Turtles: A Mediterranean tools available such as MedTurtle and the existing communication perspective” (by J. Seminoff). amongst Rescue Centres it would be useful to create a special (P) “The WWF’s Marine Turtle Action Plan for the Mediter- webpage hosted by an independent site such as seaturtle.org. A co- ranean” (by P. Casale) ordinating team for its realization was established, comprising of D. (P) “The nature of Crete” (by P. Lymberakis, Natural History Freggi (WWF Italy’s Lampedusa Rescue Centre), Y. Levi (Israeli Museum of Crete) Rescue Centre) and A. P Panagopoulou (ARCHELON). (V) Conservation project at Çirali, Turkey (V) Surgery techniques at the University of Bari, Italy
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 19 Letter to the Editors Dear Editors,
I have enjoyed the “Marine Turtle Newsletter” for as long as it has original franchise granted by the Island government to been published; it has been a stimulating experience for me to see so Mariculture, Ltd. And included with the license for the many familiar names over so many years. I have often been tempted Cayman Turtle Farm is the fact that the taking of wild green to write “To the Editor,” as I was the president, a founder, and a major turtles in Cayman waters was prohibited, except for a few capitalizer of Mariculture, Ltd., a predecessor to Cayman Turtle indigenous, licensed persons. Farm. I organized Mariculture with Dr. Robert Schroeder in 1968 3. And speaking of proof – it has never been proved that and the rest, as they say, is history. I have never before responded “releasing a portion of (the farm’s) overflow of juvenile to anything which I read in the MTN, but the letter “Cayman Island turtles into surrounding waters could pose serious threats Turtle Farm: Under Fire by Conservationists” (MTN 113, page 9) to wild turtle populations.” How any reasonable person was a bit more than I could stomach in silence. The inaccuracies could come to such an assumption has, to the best of my are as spurious today as they were almost 40 years ago and most knowledge, never made even the theoretical scan, let alone were addressed by the letter “Cayman Turtle Farm – a Response to had any scientific merit. NGO Comments” (MTN 113, page 10). However, I do think my 4. To the best of my memory, there has never been a serious unique experience with the (original) turtle farm requires me to add allegation made that “diseases occurring in Cayman Farm- a few thoughts: raised turtles can be spread to wild populations.” To make such an assertion without peer-reviewed proof is poor 1. I have never seen the “evidence submitted by the government science. of Costa Rica” which “showed that at least some of the founding stock was taken illegally from that country” On a totally personal basis, it never ceases to amaze me that the few – but Dr. Schroeder and I were given oral permission and antagonists to Mariculture, Ltd./Cayman Turtle Farm express their a handshake by Mr. Roberto Morales to take “whatever “concerns” but never seem to have a better idea than commerce to stock we though necessary.” Mr. Morales was an official guarantee the perpetuation of Chelonia mydas. Mariculture Ltd./ with the government whose portfolio included both “natural Cayman Turtle Farm has produced thousands of released turtles. resources” and air transportation that was Lasca Airlines, When I first went to Cayman in 1968, it was highly unusual to see then owned/operated by the Costa Rican government. Indeed, a green sea turtle of any size whilst scuba diving; today, it is all but all of the “founding stock” was removed from Tortuguero by impossible to dive anywhere around the Cayman Islands and not see small private plane to the airport at San Juan and then flown more than one turtle per dive. This simple barometer of success is as commercial freight in the hold of Lasca Airlines on their probably meaningless to the scientific world – but it’s might practical regularly scheduled routes between San Juan, Costa Rica to those genuinely interested in the perpetuation of the green sea and George Town, Grand Cayman, BWI. It is illogical to turtle, which could be absolutely guaranteed through its commercial aver that the national airline would be party to contraband success – a viable theory in 1968 and 2006. trafficking! 2. The most important way in which the farm showed “its Irvin S. Naylor, 100 Boxwood Lane, York, PA 17403 (E-mail: activity benefited wild populations” is the fact that the [email protected])
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 20 causes of regional differences were understood, perhaps preventative Book Reviews measures could be instituted in the Atlantic. The danger of excessive egg harvest is highlighted but this is hardly a new idea. Voyage of the Turtle is prone to errors and too ready acceptance of mere ideas as established fact. There is no solid evidence that the Title: Voyage of the Turtle: In Pursuit of the Earth’s Last wrong incubation temperatures produce sterile intersex individuals. Dinosaur The leatherback is not the only reptile capable of maintaining its Year: 2006 body temperature above ambient level: the brooding Indian python Author: Carl Safina also does well in this respect. In the leatherback, thermogenic fat has Publisher: Henry Holt Company, New York, USA not been demonstrated: this is only inference based on structure. That ISBN: 08-0507-891-6 is why the original paper put a question mark after the part in its title Pages: 400 about a “thermogenic organ”. And then there is that pink spot. Why Price: US $27.50 is it that turtle enthusiasts are so fascinated by occurrences such as albino hatchlings and the pink spot on the top of the leatherback’s What better prognosis for a good read than a great protagonist, the head? Safina relays the idea – twice, in disconnected places - that leatherback turtle, and an author who has – so the dust jacket tells us less pigmented skin lying over a thinner area of the skull allows – won awards for literature. But writing about seeing a leatherback light to reach the pineal and so govern responses to daylength. I emerge from the surf, he comes up with the following: “The sight am unaware of studies of light penetration, if that takes place at all, of her is sufficiently astonishing to strike a deep gasp into my ribs”. through different parts of sea turtle skulls. But Peter Pritchard does This encapsulates the problems with this book: too often the writing have a magnificent collection of leatherback skulls, crying out for is excruciating, too often the reactions of the author distract from this kind of investigation! Other errors include failing to get the the animal itself. Strunk & White (1999) admonish writers to place quotation from Ogden Nash (about the turtle living “ ‘twixt plated themselves in the background. But this is not so much an account decks”) exactly right. of the voyage of the turtle as of the author’s travels to places where Nevertheless, those who know little about sea turtles may learn leatherbacks can be seen and studied, and the conversations he has something from this book, and about the allure of turtle work, with those engaged in that work. on beaches, at sea and in the air. Whether this is the best place to In another passage, the author relates being shown the tracks learn such things is another matter. Structuring the narrative as a of satellite monitored turtles on a computer screen. To heighten travelogue interspersed with mini expositions on biology makes for the mood he has to tell us when he draws his chair closer to the a disjointed presentation. computer. A simple map showing migratory paths would make a As a lament for the devastating effects of expanding humanity, in more vivid and direct impression. Talking of figures, line drawings the oceans and on turtle beaches, the book is tolerably successful. It of O and J hooks, and of turtle excluder devices would also have may please readers who can overlook or even enjoy the purple prose, been helpful. the heapings of adjectives and similes, and the straining for cosmic It may be suspected that the best books about animals and their overtones. For me the most effective passage was the account of the life histories are by those who have studied their subjects first hand, destructiveness of trawling for shrimp. The fancy writing gives way over a number of years, and become absorbed in the animals rather to an enumeration of the piles of gasping ocean life, several times than themselves. Tinbergen’s (1953) Herring Gull World , and the greater than the amount of target species obtained; the non-shrimp books by Heinrich and those by Schaller come to mind. portion, mostly edible, is swept overboard, dying and wasted. An Safina’s book does, however, provide a reasonably satisfactory account of a remotely controlled video dive to 200-1000 m or so introduction to some of the main questions about the conservation of is also well done, vivid, and a reminder that leatherbacks spend sea turtles. The chapter set in Florida, albeit more about loggerhead much time in an environment of whose physical characteristics and and green turtles than leatherbacks, discusses whether turtles inhabitants we have no more than a rudimentary appreciation. and people can coexist on the same beaches. The conclusion is a cautious yes. STRUNK W. & E.B. WHITE 1999. The Elements of Style, 4th Another vital topic is that of regional differences in survival Edition. Longman, New York. 105pp. prospects. The author recognizes that leatherbacks are doing much TINBERGEN, N. 1953. Herring Gull World: A Study of the Social better in the Atlantic than in the Pacific. To his credit he does not Behavior of Birds. Collins, New York. 255pp. over exploit brink-of-extinction hype, but neither does he delve Reviewed by N. Mrosovsky, Department of Zoology, University deeply enough into the interesting question of why differences of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G5 E-mail: mro@ between ocean basins exist. Are other medusivores doing poorly zoo.utoronto.ca in the Pacific? Are patterns of incidental catch responsible? If the
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 21 Title: Turtle Story Narrative non-fiction, like Turtle Story, is a tricky genre. Year: 2006 Shankir’s tale has difficulties that result from attempting to Author: by Kartik Shanker with art by Maya Ramaswamy present a vast array of natural history fact through the eyes of an Publisher: Pratham Books anthropomorphized animal. The narrative is not rich enough to free ISBN: 81-8263-285-4 the reader from the sense that the book is primarily a recounting Pages: 24 of turtle facts, as opposed to a story as its picture book format Price: Rs 120 or US $12 (http://www.atree.org/order_ts.html) would suggest. The attempt to engage the audience through the character of the ridley presents problems from the purely scientific In this picture book, Turtle Story, Kartik Shanker introduces us to perspective that non-fiction requires: for example, the book’s ridley a young olive ridley turtle floating in the sunlit Indian Ocean with swims “carefully” so as to “avoid” fishing gear, and after she lays a full belly and time to contemplate life. The tranquil mood is cut her eggs she is “happy” when she thinks about her own hatchlings’ short by the arrival of a “really big fish” craving baby turtle soup. lives. Elements of non-fiction writing, such as maps highlighting And so the little ridley’s odyssey begins as we follow her on her the many geographic locations described and a glossary, would also travels through the blue-green water, onto the seaweed rafts, to the have enriched the book and made it a more useful teaching tool. coral reefs and eventually to nest herself. In general, Turtle Story is a pleasant read with an ultimately Turtle Story introduces children to basic facts about sea turtles charming olive ridley at its core. What makes it a must-buy, however, through conversations between the ridley and the other species she are the truly beautiful illustrations by Maya Ramaswamy. Her work encounters. Most noteworthy is her chat with the kind leatherback, effortlessly balances the scientific with the imaginative, bringing whom she deferentially calls “Sir,” as she marvels at his size the world of the olive ridley, both in and out of the ocean, into and soft shell, and the competitive loggerhead, with a head both sharp focus. figuratively and literally big, as he sniffs at the distance of the ridley’s comparatively short migration. Although Shanker draws attention Reviewed by Kathleen Martin, Canadian Sea Turtle Network, 2070 to the danger of natural predators, fishing gear, and human impacts Oxford Street, Suite 110, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 2T2 Canada, on the nesting habitat, the story’s narrative force is drawn resolutely E-mail: [email protected] from the turtle completing her life cycle.
Announcements
British Chelonia Group Makes 2007 The Year of the Sea Turtle
The British Chelonia Group (BCG) is a registered charity dedi- c. The applicant where applicable must provide a CV which shows cated to the care and conservation of chelonia worldwide (www. any previous experience with Marine Turtle research etc. together britishcheloniagroup.org.uk). Each year the BCG launches an with the names of two suitable referees. appeal designed to raise funds to help finance projects aimed at the conservation of endangered species. The year 2007 has been The BCG will expect acknowledgement of any contribution in any nominated as the Year of the Sea Turtle when the BCG will be written reports published and may itself require an original report concentrating on assisting organisations or individuals who are on the results of the project for publication in its annual journal actively engaged on worthwhile schemes to safeguard sea turtles TESTUDO. or are planning to do so in 2007. Two copies of the application should reach the undersigned by 1st March 2007 at the latest: The intention is to allocate monies to projects that fall under the Bob Langton headings of Research, Protection or Education or a combination of BCG Conservation Officer these. Grants will be small and will not exceed £1000 sterling. It 13 Springfield Road is therefore expected that any BCG grant will probably supplement Exmouth funds already raised or promised. Devon EX8 3JY Proposals for consideration are invited and must contain the ENGLAND following: Email: [email protected] a. Full details of the project which show clearly its contribution to Marine Turtle conservation; b. A detailed budget which covers the costs and shows where applicable other contributions either current or expected;
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 22 27th Annual Sea Turtlers’ Migration
Michael S. Coyne President, International Sea Turtle Society (E-mail: [email protected])
Marine turtles ply the world’s seas and oceans, migrating from here (http://www.int-res.com/). A number of experts in the tracking of to there in search of food, mates and a place to deposit their eggs. a variety of migratory marine vertebrates will provide relevant Every year (since 1981) a multitude of sea turtlers from around background and insights from their own taxa. the world have migrated to a predetermined location, gathering to The logo for the 27th Annual Symposium will also be very discuss their favorite topic. What drives these mass migrations? special, incorporating the tracks of more than 700 individual turtles Answering this question with regard to turtles is one of the many and the combined work of hundreds of people and more than 40 reasons the turtlers gather. Even after decades of studying sea turtles, organizations. This incredible effort highlights some amazing work, their habits and habitats remain, in large part, a wondrous mystery. identifies remaining gaps in knowledge and provides a glimpse at It is this very mystery that makes them such a compelling subject the possibilities that arise when we all work together. of study and affection. While the meeting ends with the tracking mini-symposium, it This year the meeting of turtlers returns to the state of South begins with a plenary session on sea turtles in the Carolinas. These Carolina, USA, in what promises to be the largest gathering yet. two special sessions bracket nearly 400 outstanding oral and poster The meeting will conclude with a focus on sea turtle movement presentations on a wide variety of topics related to marine turtles. which will take a critical look at the methods we have used and Join us for these and many other outstanding (and fun!) events. what we have learned about the how, what and why of where sea Please plan to come early or stay late as we will have a full slate of turtles go. This will be a special mini-symposium on Tracking for the field trips and activities for you to enjoy. I look forward to seeing Conservation of Migratory Vertebrates sponsored by Inter-Research you all in Myrtle Beach. Safe migrations!
http://iconferences.seaturtle.org/
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 23 NEWS AND LEGAL BRIEFS
This section is compiled by Kelly Samek. You can submit news items at any time online at
AFRICA THE AMERICAS
Kenya: Row Threatens Move to Settle Trawlers Issue Turtle Nest Totals Make History Controversy has hit preparations for a meeting called by the Fisheries Nesting season for the Kemp's ridley sea turtles isn't over yet, but ministry to discuss the fate of trawlers after the Government’s early reports show there have been a record number of nests found temporary ban last month. Key players in the fishing industry in at the Padre Island National Seashore already this year. The most Malindi have criticised the selection of participants for the talks recent sighting of an endangered sea turtle nest at the National scheduled for Malindi next week, saying that it was not done Seashore marked the 51st at the National Seashore this year. A properly. Some told the Nation that most invited people were women record 76 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests have been reported on the “who have nothing to do with fishing.” Some have accused the Texas Gulf Coast this year. That's up from 51 last year and the most local fisheries officials, who selected the participants, of picking since efforts to restore the endangered turtle began three decades people likely to support the Government’s plan to re-allow trawling. ago. Source: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 3 June 2006. But officials at the fisheries department in Nairobi said all the key players had been invited, adding that where the chairpersons of Sea Turtles Come Out Ahead beach units were not present, their assistants and secretaries had Sea turtles and the volunteers who look for their nests on Flagler been selected. Some officials said that among the key players set County beaches every morning won a victory Monday when a to attend the meeting were representatives from the Kenya Marine judge ruled that a beach-driving ban enacted to protect the turtles and Fisheries Research Institute, the fisheries department, the Kenya shouldn't prohibit volunteers with the same goal from using ATVs. Wildlife Service, the Association of Trawler Operators, the Coast Flagler County Judge Sharon B. Atack acquitted a Turtle Patrol Development Authority and the Watamu Turtle Watch as well as volunteer of violating the county's beach-driving ban, ruling that some fishermen. A spokesman for the local fishermen, Mr Ali Shaibu other state and federal laws aimed at protecting the reptiles have Shekue, said the issue of representation was critical to ensure that given their blessing to the use of all-terrain vehicles by specially the meeting did not look like one meant to approve any government trained turtle volunteers. Her ruling clears 53-year-old volunteer decision. Source: The Nation, 15 September 2006 Denis Cody of a traffic ticket, but members of the turtle group are waiting for a written copy of the judge's ruling before they'll drive Namibia: Preserve Fish Resources, Sea Life, on the disputed 11 miles of beach. Source: South Florida Sun- Urges Prime Minister Sentinel, 6 June 2006. Opening the third annual general meeting of the South-East Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (Seafo) in Windhoek, Prime Minister Angula Aquarium and DNR Working To Save Endangered Sea Turtle said the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg The National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Maryland Department four years ago resolved that effective monitoring systems of illegal of Natural Resources (DNR) are hopeful that a Kemp’s ridley sea fishing should be in place by 2004 worldwide and that fishing turtle, the most endangered sea turtle in the world, will recover capacities had to be in place by 2005. “Some implementation successfully from emergency surgery to remove a hook embedded in deadlines have passed. If you are behind schedule, my advice is the animal’s throat. The turtle was reported to DNR on June 7 by a to urgently devise a fast-tracking strategy to move upfront,” Prime local citizen as part of a mark and recapture study that the agency is Minister Angula said. The Seafo convention was signed in 2001 conducting on sea turtles in the Chesapeake Bay. Upon examination, and came into force on April 13 2003. Other signatories to the DNR ’s veterinarian Dr. Cindy Driscoll and biologist Tricia Kimmel convention are Iceland, South Korea, South Africa and the US. The discovered that the turtle had a prior injury – a recreational fishing convention has been ratified by the European Community, Namibia hook was caught in its throat – and transported the animal to the and Norway.The convention ensures the long-term conservation Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue Program (MARP) hospital and sustainable use of fish resources on the high seas of the South facilities for treatment and rehabilitation. Source: Maryland DNR East Atlantic Ocean. Seafo is to adopt measures to ensure the press release, 12 June 2006. conservation and sustainable use of fish resources, take account of the impact on ecologically related species like seabirds, whales, Dominica Moves to Protect Endangered Sea Turtles dolphins, seals and marine turtles and minimise harmful impacts The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture are on living marine resources and protect its biodiversity. Source: The collaborating to protect sea turtles in Dominica, which are now on Namibian, 4 October 2006. the verge of extinction. At a recently held news conference, the Tourism and Agriculture Ministers both explained the significance
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 24 of conserving leatherback turtles, which nest in Dominica, and radar screen," said Blair Witherington, a research scientist with the also as a tourism product for turtle watching. Agriculture Minister Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Melbourne John McIntyre believes that locals need to stop hunting sea turtles. Beach. In Palm Beach County, there has been a continued decline Source: Caribbean net News, 12 June 2006. in loggerhead nests in Boca Raton, said the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center's marine conservationist, Kirt Rusenko. He also said he Live Leatherback May Be Island's First in 20 Years believes it's part of a larger trend. Source: Palm Beach Post, 29 Amelia Island residents near American Beach were treated to a July 2006. rare sight - a live leatherback sea turtle. It's possibly the first live leatherback spotted on Amelia Island's beaches in two decades, Historic Caribbean Sea Turtle Population Falls 99% said Mary Duffy of Amelia Island Turtle Watch. Nicknamed Ethel Current conservation assessments of endangered Caribbean sea because she "seemed to be running out of steam," the 375-pound turtles are too optimistic due declines of populations on historically female leatherback was first spotted in the surf near Summer Beach important nesting beaches, according to new research from the about 6 a.m. June 9 before making her way south near Burney Scripps Institution of Oceanography published in the August issue Park at American Beach. Obviously disoriented and struggling in of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. The researchers the surf, the young female was loaded onto a truck about noon by estimate that turtle populations have declined significantly since local volunteers and Florida Fish and Wildlife officials. She was the 17th century, with the number of green turtles living throughout then transported, carefully wrapped in a special tarp, to SeaWorld the Caribbean falling from 91 million to 300,000 today and the in Orlando for examination. Source: Fernandina Beach News- population of Hawksbill turtles plunging from 11 million to less Leader, 14 June 2006. than 30,000 during this same time period. The change represents a 99.7 percent drop in historic Caribbean sea turtle populations for Guyana Sets up Fishing Restrictions the two species. Source: Mongabay.com, 1 August 2006. to Help Endangered Sea Turtles Guyana has banned fishermen from spreading large nets off its Medical Examiner's Report Says northeastern coastline after more than two dozen dead sea turtles Sea Turtle Researcher Probably Drowned washed up on beaches, officials said Tuesday. Guyana's fisheries A sea turtle researcher who died last week near Sebastian Inlet ministry established the restrictions, designed to protect the probably drowned, according to a medical examiner's preliminary endangered sea turtles, after environmental wardens reported finding report done Tuesday, said county Sheriff's agent Gary Harrell. Boyd the carcasses of the large turtle species on northeastern beaches. Lyon, a 37-year-old University of Central Florida graduate student The fishing ban covers a 15-mile (24-kilometer) stretch of turtle- who was living in Melbourne Beach, disappeared last Thursday rich waters. Several species of endangered turtles, including the while diving after a sea turtle for research. Sheriff's deputies found giant leatherback nest on Guyanese beaches each year. Source: his body about 11:35 a.m. Monday about 3 miles north of the Associated Press, 28 June 2006. Sebastian Inlet — roughly 300 yards west of where he dove after a 300-pound sea turtle Thursday and never resurfaced. Lyon had U.S.-Mexico Effort Saves Rare Turtles from Extinction on a wetsuit, face mask and weight belt, officials said. Lyon on On the remote beaches of northern Mexico, the most endangered of Thursday had jumped into 36-foot-deep water and was using the all sea turtles, the Kemp's ridley, is marching back from the brink "rodeo-style" method of capture, which involves a diver jumping of extinction. Based in simple camps and basic corrals, teams of on a turtle, grabbing its shell, positioning it toward the surface and Mexican and American biologists and volunteers patrol miles of onto a research boat. Harrell said officials expect a final medical remote beaches for nests and then dig up the eggs to protect them examiner's report, including a toxicology report, to be finished in from predators and poachers. Last week marked the peak of hatching about six to eight weeks. Source: TCPalm, 16 August 2006. season as more than 200,000 hatchlings made their slow crawl to the sea. The releases set a new benchmark for the joint conservation New Wildlife Refuge for effort between Mexico and the United States that began 26 years Leatherback Sea Turtles in Costa Rica ago to save the smallest sea turtle species. In 1985, when only 702 On August 11, 2006 the Costa Rican government announced the nests were found on Mexican beaches, many scientists predicted that creation of a new national wildlife refuge and marine protected area the Kemp's ridley wouldn't be around for long. Then, the numbers on the Pacific coast to protect critically endangered leatherback slowly started to climb. This year, 11,600 nests already have been sea turtles as well as other endangered flora and fauna. The refuge, counted, exceeding last year's total of 10,099. And the season isn't known as “Caletas-Ario,” will cover 313 hectares on the coast of the over yet. It has even led to talk that the Kemp's ridley could be Nicoya Peninsula stretching from Coyote Point along the Caletas downlisted from an endangered species to threatened status by 2012. beach and continuing south past the Bongo River. The refuge Source: McClatchy Newspapers, 7 July 2006. includes a 19,846 hectare Marine Protected Area extending 12 miles off shore, where destructive fisheries such as shrimp trawling Loggerheads Lagging and compressor diving will now be outlawed. Source: Sea Turtle The number of loggerhead turtle nests on Treasure Coast beaches Restoration Project press release, 16 August 2006. has dropped from the number reported this time last year, prompting some scientists to predict that 2006 will follow a statewide trend Methods Enable Longline Swordfish Fishery of decline that started about seven years ago. "We believe it's a to Minimize Turtle Interactions real decline that is statistically significant, not just a blip on the A study announced by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 25 Management Council indicates that measures have been extremely Project to Monitor Turtles Using Satellite Launched effective at reducing interactions with endangered sea turtles in the The Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Hawaii-based longline swordfish fishery. Regulations designed to Resources launched a vital project on Masirah Island to monitor the reduce turtle interactions came into effect for the Hawaii-based turtles using satellite. Being the first of its kind in the Sultanate, the longline swordfish fishery in May 2004. The regulations changed project aims to study and maintain four species of turtles nesting on the type and size of fishing hook and bait used by the Hawaii- the Masirah Island shores throughout the year. The project aims to based longline swordfish fleet from using a J-shaped hook with set sustainable development-based general administrative plan, to squid bait to a wider circle-shaped hook with fish bait. There were maintain the original marine and coastal systems on Masirah Island. significant reductions in sea turtle and shark capture rates and Source: Times of Oman, 11 June 2006. reduced proportion of turtles that ingest hooks, which may increase post release survival prospects, without comprising target species 8 Chinese Poachers Nabbed in Palawan catches. Capture rates of leatherback and loggerhead turtles declined Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel in Palawan have significantly by 82.8 percent and 90.0 percent, respectively, after apprehended eight Chinese fishermen aboard an unregistered the turtle regulations came into effect. The swordfish catch rate, Chinese vessel that was found poaching protected species of marine the target species of this fishery, was significantly higher by 16.0 life off the island’s southernmost tip. The PCG arrived at the Puerto percent. Source: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Princesa port at 8 a.m. yesterday with the Chinese fishing boat’s Council press release, 29 August 2006. catch of three six-foot whales and 26 preserved green turtles. Philippine authorities said the 300-ton, 30-meter Chinese vessel Turtles Show Signs of Red Tide was spotted 33 nautical miles southeast of Balabac town’s Mangsee A sluggish, underweight loggerhead turtle rescued from the Anclote island on June l7. After a brief chase, the Chinese fishing boat was Harbor on September 5 was the third turtle to be pulled from waters apprehended by the law enforcers as it attempted to escape toward off Pinellas County this week with signs of "Red Tide intoxication," Malaysian waters. Provincial Fisheries Officer Paciano Gianan said a state wildlife official said. Rhonda A. Bailey, the Fish and Wildlife the suspected poachers will be charged with violating provisions of Conservation Commission official who responded to the report about the Philippine Wildlife Act, or Republic Act 9147, and RA 8550, also a sickly turtle in Tarpon Springs, said the testing on the turtle will known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of l998. Source: Philippine likely take a week, but it exhibited several telltale symptoms of the Headline News Online, 20 June 2006. potentially lethal condition: lethargy, malnourishment and patches of barnacles on its face, flippers and other fleshy body parts. Source: Strategy Sought for Protecting Endangered Sea Turtles St. Petersburg Times, 6 September 2006. More than 50 environmental experts from the GCC, Iran and Yemen are expected to attend the Marine Conservation Forum, where a strategy on regional cooperation to preserve endangered marine ASIA turtles and coral reefs will be developed. The Marine Conservation Forum, which will take place on 11 - 14 September 2006, is organized Viet Nam Strengthens Sea Turtle Conservation by Emirates Wildlife Society - World Wildlife Fund for Nature under Viet Nam celebrated World Environment Day (June 5) in the Nha the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water. The Trang city of the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on June 4, first two days of the Marine Conservation Forum will be dedicated with focus being placed on the 2006 International Year of Marine to coral reef conservation followed by two days of presentations Turtles. During the ceremony, held by the Ministry of Fisheries, focused on turtle protection. Areas of discussion over the four days the provincial People's Committee, the World Conservation will include habitats, legal aspects, management, protected areas, Union (IUCN), the Nha Trang Bay Reserve Management Board population assessment, threat assessments and mitigation strategies. and the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, participants stated Local conservation efforts in each participating country will be their committment to reducing threats to sea turtles, conserving reviewed and best practices assimilated into a Regional Conservation their habitats and strengthening international cooperation in their Action Plan. Source: AME Info, 30 July 2006. conservation in Viet Nam. Source: VNA, 4 June 2006. Malaysian Official Rejects Leatherback Turtles ‘Not Coming Back’ UN Report that Leatherback Turtles Gone It is time to say goodbye to the leatherback turtle. It is on the point A Malaysian official rejected a UN report saying highly endangered of extinction and is not going to make a comeback. The head of leatherback turtles were virtually extinct in the country, and said it the Marine Turtle Project at Kolej University Sains dan Teknologi was taking steps to save the creatures that scientists believe once Malaysia, Professor Chan Eng Heng, said: "It is sad but we have to swam with dinosaurs. "It is correct to say the population of the face reality. We should not be in denial." Chan said the leatherbacks leatherback has declined drastically, but the turtle has not become are not returning in the numbers expected and experts cannot really extinct," the chief of Malaysia's Turtle and Marine Ecosystem say why. The population drop is compounded by the fact that most Center, Kamaruddin Ibrahim, was quoted as saying by the official of the hatchlings released between the 1960s and the 1980s were Bernama news agency. Turtle eggs are still being sold openly on the female, a result of the "open air" hatchery practice at that time. east coast, local media have reported. The UN said earlier this week Experts are also aware that since 2000, none of the eggs laid on that leatherbacks have become virtually extinct in Malaysia. But Terengganu’s beaches were fertilised because there were so few Kamaruddin said they found five nesting sites with more than 360 males. Source: New Straits Times, 8 June 2006. eggs this year alone. Source: Associated Press, 9 August 2006. Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 26 Heat Takes its Toll on Marine Life and even Sardinia, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Source: Large quantities of dead fish and sea turtles have been found on United Press International, 21 August 2006. the Qatari shores over the past three days due to record high sea temperatures, marine experts warned here on September 5. The Turtles Released to Combat Jellyfish Plague Supreme Council for Environment and Natural Reserves, the Regional Territory minister, Esteban Gonzalez Pons, was present as country's main environmental authority, convened an urgent meeting several small sea turtles were released into the Mediterranean August and is conducting surveys to assess the proportion of the calamity, 18. The species is in danger of extinction, and the Valencian but experts said little can be done if the sea temperatures remain government has put measures in place to ensure the protection of high. A record 37 degrees Celsius was recorded over the past few the breed. However, the main food of this particular sea turtle is days in Qatar's coastal waters, the highest since 1998. Source: Gulf jellyfish and it is hoped that nature will combat nature in an effort to News, 6 September 2006. diminish the current plague around the beaches of the region. More than 200 of this species of sea turtle have been recovered and are EUROPE recuperating at various installations in Valencia. Source: Valencia Life, 21 August 2006. Expert: Lebanon Oil Slick Kills Turtles, Ruins Tourism Business Rare Turtles Sighted on Cornish Coast The oil spill caused by an Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese power Young leatherback turtles have been spotted along the north station last month is killing the young of a rare turtle and has Cornwall coast at two locations, according to reports received by ruined the future of the Lebanese beach holiday business, a German the Marine Conservation Society. Adult leatherbacks are a common environmental campaigner warned. Joerg Feddern, a biologist sight on the Cornish coast, but juveniles measuring less than 1m in at Greenpeace, said satellite pictures showed the slick was now length are rarely seen. The first sighting was reported by a wind- 130 kilometres long and up to 30 kilometres wide. Speaking on surfer at Constantine Bay and the second by a surfer in Fistral Hessischer Rundfunk radio in Frankfurt, he said the green sea turtle Beach, Newquay. The public has been asked to report any further laid eggs at some sites on the Lebanese coast. “When the young turtle sightings to Turtle, the national database of turtle sightings. turtles hatch in the next few weeks, they have to crawl into the sea,” Source: ThePasty.com, 7 September 2006. he said. “But as they can't get over oily sand, they'll die.” A Lebanese environmentalist, Wael Hmaidan, confirmed that oil- smeared, dead OCEANIA turtle young had already been seen on the beaches. The oil spread after coastal tanks were hit in a mid-July bombardment, releasing Chevron’s Australian Gas Project Stalled 15,000 tons of heavy heating oil. Clean-up efforts cannot begin as An environmental regulator recommended Tuesday that Chevron long as the fighting continues. Hmaidan said Monday in Beirut Corp.’s $8.2 billion liquefied natural gas project be blocked to protect that the oil was breaking up into poisonous components including a species of marine turtle. Chevron Corp. is operator of the Gorgon sulphates and heavy metals. Thousands of dead fish, prawns and project in partnership with Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Exxon turtles had been washed up on the shore. Source: Deutsche Presse- Mobil Corp. The project involves a two-train, 10 million metric ton Agentur, 7 August 2006. per-year LNG plant and a domestic gas facility on Barrow Island, located off Australia‘s remote northwest coast. However, the EPA‘s Appeal for Missing Turtles chairman Wally Cox said the project did not meet his agency‘s The team in charge of the turtle information centre in Akamas’ environmental objectives and was "environmentally unacceptable." Lara beach were in for a shock on the August 15 holidays, when Cox said little was known about the life cycle, behavior and feeding they arrived at the station only to find seven baby turtles missing. habits of Flatback turtles. The EPA recommendation will be used Strangers, who had obviously visited the station the previous by Western Australia‘s Environment Minister, Mark McGowan, afternoon, stole four green turtles and three carettas. The turtles, to make a final determination on Gorgon later this year. Source: 12 in total, were being kept in a large tank for examination in the Associated Press, 6 June 2006. framework of the rescue programme for endangered species. They were also shown to visitors. The turtles are kept alive with careful Tri-national Commitment to Leatherback Turtle scientific care, as they are outside their natural habitat. This is why Conservation in the Pacific the station’s operators have sent out a plea to the turtle thieves to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands put the turtles in the sea as soon as possible, otherwise they will have agreed to protect the endangered leatherback turtle definitely die. Source: Cyprus Mail, 19 August 2006. in the Pacific through joint conservation activities. The tri-national partnership, supported by WWF, will allow the three It's a Record Summer for Some Turtles countries to enhance conservation of leatherback turtles through Italian scientists say an endangered species of marine turtle -- information sharing, data exchange and cooperative research. It loggerhead turtles -- are appearing along Italy's southern shores also plans to establish a network of marine protected areas covering in increasing numbers. Researchers say record numbers of critical leatherback habitats throughout parts of the western Pacific loggerheads have been spotted in waters off Sicily, Calabria, Puglia Ocean. Source: WWF press release, 29 August 2006.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 27 RECENT PUBLICATIONS
This section is compiled by the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research (ACCSTR), University of Florida. The ACCSTR maintains the Sea Turtle On-line Bibliography: (http://accstr.ufl.edu/biblio.html).
It is requested that a copy of all publications (including technical reports and non-refereed journal articles) be sent to both:
1) The ACCSTR for inclusion in both the on-line bibliography and the MTN. Address: Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research, University of Florida, PO Box 118525, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
2) The editors of the Marine Turtle Newsletter to facilitate the transmission of information to colleagues submitting articles who may not have access to on-line literature reviewing services.
RECENT PAPERS
ALAVA, J.J., J.M. KELLER, J.R. KUCKLICK, J. WYNEKEN, L. Environmental Management 38: 84-98. L. M. Campbell, Nicholas CROWDER & G.I. SCOTT. 2006. Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta School of Environment & Earth Sciences, Duke University Marine caretta) egg yolk concentrations of persistent organic pollutants Lab, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA. (email: [email protected]) and lipid increase during the last stage of embryonic development. Science of the Total Environment 367: 170-181. J.M. Keller, CARRANZA, A., A. DOMINGO & A. ESTRADES. 2006. Pelagic NIST, Hollings Marine Lab, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, longlines: A threat to sea turtles in the Equatorial Eastern Atlantic. SC 29412, USA. (email: [email protected]) Biological Conservation 131: 52-57. A. Domingo, Direcc Nacl Recursos Acuat, Recursos Pelag, Constituyente 1497,CP 11-200, ANON. 2006. Abstracts of papers presented in 16th Japanese Sea Montevideo, Uruguay. (email: [email protected]) Turtle Conference in Kuroshima. Umigame Newsletter of Japan No. 68: 2-9. in Japanese. (email: [email protected]) CHATTOPADHYAY, S., N.K. SINHA, S. BANERJEE, D. ROY, D. CHATTOPADHYAY & S. ROY. 2006. Small cationic protein from ANTWORTH, R.L., D.A. PIKE & J.C. STINER. 2006. Nesting a marine turtle has beta-defensin-like fold and antibacterial and ecology, current status, and conservation of sea turtles on an antiviral activity. Proteins - Structure Function and Bioinformatics uninhabited beach in Florida, USA. Biological Conservation 130: 64: 524-31. S. Roy, Indian Inst Chem Biol, 4 Raja Sc Mullick 10-15. D.A. Pike, Canaveral National Seashore, 308 Julia St, Rd, Calcutta 700032 W Bengal, India. (email: sidroy_kolkata@ Titusville, FL 32796, USA. (email: [email protected]) rediffmail.com)
BAKER, J.D., C.L. LITTNAN & D.W. JOHNSTON. 2006. Potential DE SILVA, A. 2006. An annotated bibliography of publications on effects of sea level rise on the terrestrial habitats of endangered marine turtles of Sri Lanka. Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter No. and endemic megafauna in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. 3: 12-26. 15/1 Dolosbage Road, Gampola, Sri Lanka. (email: Endangered Species Research 4: 1-10. J.D. Baker, Pacific Islands [email protected]) Research Center, NMFS, NOAA, 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. (email: [email protected]) DEPECKER, M., S. RENOUS, X. PENIN & C. BERGE. 2006. Procrustes analysis: a tool to understand shape changes of the BHUPATHY, S. & S. SARAVANAN. 2006. Status of marine turtles humerus in turtles (Chelonii). Comptes���������������������� Rendus Palevol 5: 509- in the Gulf of Mannar, India. Chelonian Conservation & Biology 18. S. Renous, CNRS, FRE 2696, Museum Natl Hist Nat, 55 Rue 5: 139-41. S. Bhupathy, Salim Ali Ctr Ornithol & Nat Hist, Buffon, F-75005 Paris, France. (email:����������������������� [email protected]) Anaikatti PO, Coimbatore 641108 Tamil Nadu, India. (email: [email protected]) DI BELLO, A., C. VALASTRO, F. STAFFIERI, & A. CROVACE. 2006. Contrast radiography of the gastrointestinal tract in sea BURSEY, C.R., K.E. RICHARDSON & D.J. RICHARDSON. turtles. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound 47: 351-54. A. Di 2006. First North American records of Kathlania leptura and Bello, Univ Bari, DEOT, Div Vet Surg, Fac Vet Med, Italy Tonaudia tonaudia (Nematoda : Kathlanidae), parasites of marine SP Valenzano Sasamassima Km 3, I-70010 Bari Italy. (email: turtles. Comparative Parasitology 73: 134-35. D.J. Richardson, [email protected]) Quinnipiac Univ, Campus Box 71,275 Mt Carmel Ave, Hamden, CT 06518, USA. (email: [email protected]) ENGEMAN, R.M., R.E. MARTIN, H.T. SMITH, J. SOOLARD, C.K. CRADY, B. CONSTANTIN, M. STAHL & N.P. GRONINGER. CAMPBELL, L.M. & C. SMITH. 2006. What makes them pay? 2006. Impact on predation of sea turtle nests when predator Values of volunteer tourists working for sea turtle conservation. control was removed midway through the nesting season. Wildlife
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 28 Research 33: 187-92. R.M. Engeman, Natl Wildlife Res Ctr, Hainschwang, GIA GemTech Lab, Geneva, Switzerland. (email: 4101 LaPorte Ave, Ft Collins, CO 80521 USA. (email: Richard. [email protected]) [email protected]) HAMANN, M., CHU THE CUONG, NGUYEN DUY HONG, FERREIRA, B., M. GARCIA, B.P. JUPP & A. AL-KIYUMI. PHAM THUOC, and BUI THI THUHIEN. 2005. Distribution 2006. Diet of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) at Ra's Al Hadd, and abundance of marine turtles in the Socialist Republic of Viet Sultanate of Oman. Chelonian�������������������������������� Conservation & Biology 5: 141-46. Nam. Biodiversity and Conservation. Published online: 15 June B. Ferreira, Praceta 25 Abril,5 Vale Figueira, P-2815874 Sobreda, 2005. M. Hamann, School of Tropical Environmental Studies Portugal. (email:������������������������������������ [email protected]) and Geography, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia. (email: [email protected]) FLEMMING, J.E.M., C. A. FIELD, M.C. JAMES, I.D. JONSEN & R.A. MYERS. 2006. How well can animals navigate? Estimating ISHIHARA, T. 2006. 26th International Sea Turtle Symposium the circle of confusion from tracking data. Environmetrics 17: 351- (ISTS). An attendance report on 26th International Sea Turtle 62. J.E.M. Flemming, Dalhousie Univ, Dept Math & Stat, Halifax, Symposium in Crete, Greece. Umigame Newsletter of Japan No. NS B3H 4J1, Canada. (email: [email protected]) 68: 14-16. in Japanese. (email: [email protected])
FOLEY, A.M., S.A. PECK & G.R. HARMAN. 2006. Effects of KAKODKAR, A. 2006. Perceptions of local stakeholders about sand characteristics and inundation on the hatching success of marine turtles on the Sindhudurg coast of southern Maharashtra, loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) clutches on low-relief India. Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter No. 3: 1-5. DD's Cross mangrove islands in southwest Florida. Chelonian Conservation Building, Agalli, Fatorda, Margao, Goa 403 602, India. (email: & Biology 5: 32-41. A.M. Foley, Florida Game & Fresh Water [email protected]) Fish Commiss, Florida Fish & Wildlife Res Inst, Jacksonville Field Lab, 6135 Author Ave, Bldg 200, Jacksonville, FL 32221, KASKA, Y., C. ILGAZ, A. OZDEMIR, E. BASKALE, O. USA. (email: [email protected]) TURKOZAN, I. BARAN & M. STACHOWITSCH. 2006. Sex ratio estimations of loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings by histological FORMIA, A., B.J. GODLEY, J.-F. DONTAINE & M.W. BRUFORD. examination and nest temperatures at Fethiye beach, Turkey. 2006. Mitochondrial DNA diversity and phylogeography of Naturwissenschaften 93: 338-43. Y. Kaska, Pamukkale Univ, endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) populations in Africa. Fen Edebiyat Fak, Denizli, Turkey. (email: caretta@pamukkale. Conservation Genetics 7: 353-69. A. Formia, Biodiversity and edu.tr) Ecological Processes Research Group, School of Biosciences, University of Cardiff, Cardiff CF10 3TL, UK. (email: aformia@ KORNARAKI, E., D.A. MATOSSIAN, A.D. MAZARIS, Y.G. seaturtle.org) MATSINOS & D. MARGARITOULIS. 2006. Effectiveness of different conservation measures for loggerhead sea turtle GALLO, B.M.G., S. MACEDO, B.D. GIFFONI, J.H. BECKER (Caretta caretta) nests at Zakynthos Island, Greece. Biological & P.C.R. BARATA. 2006. Sea turtle conservation in Ubatuba, Conservation 130: 324-30. A.D. Mazaris, Univ Aegean, Dept southeastern Brazil, a feeding area with incidental capture in Environm Studies, Biodivers Conservat Lab, GR-81100 Mitilene, coastal fisheries. Chelonian Conservation & Biology 5: 93-101. Greece. (email: [email protected]) B.M.G. Gallo, Fundação Pro-TAMAR, Rua Antonio Athanasio 273, 11680000 Ubatuba SP Brazil. (email: tamaruba@tamar. KUMAR, A.B. & G.R. DEEPTHI. 2006. Trawling and by-catch: org.br) Implications on marine ecosystem. Current Science 90: 922-31. A. B. Kumar, NSS Coll, Dept Zool Res, Pandalam 689501 India. GLEN, F., A.C. BRODERICK, B.J. GODLEY & G.C. HAYS. 2006. (email: [email protected]) Thermal control of hatchling emergence patterns in marine turtles. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 334: 31- KUROYANAGI, K. 2006. A report on loggerhead turtles landing to 42. F. Glen, Univ Exeter, Ctr Ecol & Conservat, Marine Turtle nest and hatchlings from their clutch found in the Chita Peninsula, Research Group, Penryn TR10 9EZ Cornwall, England. (email: Aichi, in 2005. Umigame Newsletter of Japan No. 68: 11-13. in [email protected]) Japanese. (email: [email protected])
GRIFFITHS, S.P., D.T. BREWER, D.S. HEALES, D.A. MILTON LOHMANN, K.J. & C.M.F. LOHMANN. 2006. Sea turtles, lobsters, & I.C. STOBUTZKI. 2006. Validating ecological risk assessments and oceanic magnetic maps. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour for fisheries: assessing the impacts of turtle excluder devices on and Physiology 39: 49-64. K. J. Lohmann, Univ N Carolina, Dept elasmobranch bycatch populations in an Australian trawl fishery. Biol, CB 3280,Coker Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. (email: Marine and Freshwater Research 57: 395-401. S.P. Griffiths, [email protected]) CSIRO Marine & Atmospher Res, POB 120, Cleveland, Qld 4163, Australia. (email: [email protected]) LUSCHI, P., J.R.E. LUTJEHARMS, R. LAMBARDI, R. MENCACCI, G.R. HUGHES & G.C. HAYS. 2006. A review HAINSCHWANG, T. & L. LEGGIO. 2006. The characterization of of migratory behaviour of sea turtles off southeastern Africa. tortoise shell and its imitations. Gems & Gemology 42: 36-52. T. South African Journal of Science 102: 51-58. P. Luschi, Dept. of Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 29 Ethology, Ecology, Evolution, University of Pisa, Via A. Volta 6, Islands Fish. Sci. Ctr., NNFS-NOAA, 2570 Dole St., Honolulu, I-56126 Pisa, Italy. (email: [email protected]) HI 96822-2396, USA. (email: [email protected])
MAST, R.B., B.J. HUTCHINSON & N.J. PILCHER. 2006. The PRADHAN, N.C. & P. LEUNG. 2006.���������������������������� A Poisson and negative burning issues for global sea turtle conservation, 2006: the binomial regression model of sea turtle interactions in Hawaii's hazards and urgent priorities in sea turtle conservation. Indian longline fishery. Fisheries Research 78: 309-22. P. Leung, Univ Ocean Turtle Newsletter No. 3: 29-31. R. Mast, Conservation Hawaii Manoa, Dept Mol Biosci & Bioengn, 1955 E W Rd Room International, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, 1919 218, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. (email: [email protected]) M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA. (email: r.mast@ conservation.org) RAIDAL, S.R., P.L. SHEARER & R.I.T. PRINCE. 2006. Chronic shoulder osteoarthritis in a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). MCMAHON, C.R. & G.C. HAYS. 2006. Thermal niche, large-scale Australian Veterinary Journal 84: 231-34. S.R. Raidal, Charles movements and implications of climate change for a critically Stuart Univ, Sch Agr & Vet Sci, Boorooma St, Wagga Wagga, endangered marine vertebrate. Global Change Biology 12: 1330- NSW 2678 Australia. (email: [email protected]) 1338. G. C. Hays, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP Wales, UK. REECE, J.S., L.M. EHRHART & C.L. PARKINSON. 2006. Mixed (email: [email protected]) stock analysis of juvenile loggerheads (Caretta caretta) in Indian River Lagoon, Florida: implications for conservation planning. MURUGAN, A. & V. NAGANATHAN. 2006. A note on the green Conservation Genetics 7: 345-52. L. Ehrhart, Department of sea turtles rescued in Tuticorin, Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu. Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, 32816- Indian Ocean Turtle Newsletter No. 3: 10-11. A. Murugan, 2368, USA. (email: [email protected]) Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, 44 Beach Road, Tuticorin 628 001, India. (email:��������������������������������� [email protected]) RIVALAN, P., P.H. DUTTON, E. BAUDRY, S.E. RODEN & M. GIRONDOT. 2006. Demographic scenario inferred from OLIVER, G. & A. PIGNO. 2005. Première observation d'une genetic data in leatherback turtles nesting in French Guiana and Tortue de Kemp, Lepidochelys kempii (Garman, 1880), (Reptilia, Suriname. Biological Conservation 130: 1-9. P. Rivalan, Univ Chelonii, Cheloniidae) sur les côtes françaises de Méditerranée. New Brunswick, Dept Biol, Fredericton, NB E3B 6E1, Canada. Bulletin De La Société Herpétologique De France 116: 31-38. O. (email: [email protected]) Guy (email: [email protected]) SAENZ-ARROYO, A., C.M. ROBERTS, J. TORRE, M. CARINO- OUELLET, M., C. FORTIN, P. GALOIS & P. NASH. 2006. Les OLVERA & J.P. HAWKINS. 2006. The value of evidence about tortues marines: un plan d'action pour mieux cerner leur situation past abundance: marine fauna of the Gulf of California through au Quebec. Le����������������������� Naturaliste Canadien 130, no. 1: 37-43. the eyes of 16th to 19th century travellers. Fish and Fisheries 7: 128-46. A. Saenz-Arroyo, Comunidad & Biodivers AC, Blvd PAPI, F. 2006. Navigation of marine, freshwater and coastal animals: Agua Marina 297 Entre Jaiba & Tiburon Coloni, Guaymas 85420 concepts and current problems. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour Sonora, Mexico. (email: [email protected]) and Physiology 39: 3-12. Univ Pisa, Dipartimento Biol, Via A Volta 6, I-56126 Pisa, Italy. (email: [email protected]) SAZIMA, I., and A. GROSSMAN. 2006. Turtle riders: remoras on marine turtles in Southwest Atlantic. Neotropical Ichthyology 4, PHILLOTT, A.D., C.J. PARMENTER & S.C. MCKILLUP. 2006. no. 1: 123-26. I. Sazima, Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Zool, Calcium depletion of eggshell after fungal invasion of sea turtle Caixa Postal 6109, BR-13083970 Campinas SP, Brazil. (email: eggs. Chelonian Conservation & Biology 5: 146-49. A.D. Phillott, [email protected]) Univ Cent Queensland, Sch Biol & Environm Sci, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia. (email: [email protected]) STORELLI, M.M., G. BARONE, N. SANTARNARIA & G.O. MARCOTRIGIANO. 2006. Residue levels of DDTs and toxic PILCHER, N.J. & R.B. MAST. 2006. Hook, line and bycatch: Setting evaluation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Scyliorhinus the agenda for mitigation of bycatch in longline fisheries. Indian canicula liver from the Mediterranean Sea (Italy). Marine Ocean Turtle Newsletter No. 3: 32. N. Pilcher, Marine Research Pollution Bulletin 52: 696-700. G.O. Marcotrigiano, Univ Bari, Foundation, 136 Lorong Pokok Seraya 2, Taman Khidmat, 88450 Fac Vet Med, Chem & Biochem Sect, Dept Pharmacol Biol, Strada Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. (email: [email protected]) Prov Casmassima Km 3, I-70010 Valenzano BA Italy. (email: [email protected]) POCOCK, C. 2006. Turtle riding on the Great Barrier Reef. Society & Animals 14: 129-46. (email: [email protected]) SUNDERRAJ, S.F.W. & J. JOSHUA. 2006. Status report on the UNEP - CMS sea turtle project on the Gujarat coast, India. Indian POLOVINA, J., I. UCHIDA, G.H. BALAZS, E.A. HOWELL, Ocean Turtle Newsletter No. 3: 6-10. Gujarat Institute of Desert D. PARKER & P. DUTTON. 2006. The Kuroshio Extension Ecology, P.O. Box 83, Oppt Changleshwar Temple, Mundra Bifurcation Region: a pelagic hotspot for juvenile loggerhead sea Road, Bhuj - 370 001, Kachchh, Gujarat, India. (email: wesley. turtles. Deep-Sea Research II 53: 326-39. J.J. Polovina, Pacific [email protected])
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 30 TANAKA, K. & T. ISHIHARA. 2006. A record of tail elongation of a male loggerhead turtle recaptured on his way to maturation. Umigame Newsletter of Japan No. 68: 10. in Japanese. (email: YALCIN-OZDILEK, S. & M. AUREGGI. 2006. Strandings [email protected]) of juvenile green turtles at Samandag, Turkey. Chelonian Conservation & Biology 5: 152-54. S. Yalcin-Ozdilek, Univ THAMMASIRIRAK, S., P. PONKHAM, S. PREEECHARRAM, Mustafa Kemal, Fac Sci & Letters, Dept Biol, TR-31040 Antakay R. KHANCHANUAN, P. PHONYOTHEE, S. DADUANG, Hatay, Turkey. (email: [email protected]) C. SRISOMSAP, T. ARAKI & J. SVASTI. 2006. Purification, characterization and comparison of reptile lysozymes. Comparative YALCIN-OZDILEK, S. & B. SONMEZ. 2006. Some properties of Biochemistry and Physiology C - Toxicology & Pharmacology new nesting areas of sea turtles in north-eastern Mediterranean 143: 209-17. S. Thammasirirak, Khon Kaen Univ, Fac Sci, Dept situated on the extension of the Samanda Beach, Turkey. Journal of Biochem, Khon Kaen 40002 Thailand. (email: somkly@kku. Environmental Biology 27: 537-44. S. Yalcin-Ozdilek, Canakkale ac.th) Onsekiz Mart Univ, Educ Fac, Anafartalar Campus, TR-17100 Canakkale Turkey. (email: [email protected]) WALLACE, B.P., J.A. SEMINOFF, S.S. KILHAM, J.R. SPOTILA & P.H. DUTTON. 2006. Leatherback turtles as oceanographic YASUDA, T., H. TANAKA, K. KITTIWATTANAWONG, H. indicators: stable isotope analyses reveal a trophic dichotomy MITAMURA, W. KLOM-IN & N. ARAI. 2006. Do female green between ocean basins. Marine Biology 149: 953-60. B.P. Wallace, turtles exhibit reproductive seasonality in a year-round nesting Drexel Univ, Dept Biosci & Biotechnol, 3141 Chestnut St, rookery? Journal of Zoology 269: 451-57. T. Yasuda, Dept. Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA. (email: [email protected]) of Social Informatics, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University, Yoshidahonmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. WILLIAMS, E.H. & L. BUNKLEY-WILLIAMS. 2006. Early (email: [email protected]) fibropapillomas in Hawaii and occurrences in all sea turtle species: The panzootic, associated leeches wide-ranging on sea turtles, and YOSEDA, K., and T. SHIMIZU. 2006. Technology development species of study leeches should be identified. Journal of Virology for spontaneous spawning, egg management and juvenile stocking 80: 4643. E.H. Williams, Univ Puerto Rico, Dept Marine Sci, in endangered sea turtles. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 72: 476-79. Caribbean Aquat Anim Hlth Project, POB 9013, Mayaguez, PR K. Yoseda, Fisheries Res Agcy, Yaeyama Stn, Stock Enhancemnt 00861, USA. (email: [email protected]) Technol Stn, Ishigaki Trop Stn,Seikai Natl Fisheries Res Inst, Okinawa 9070451 Japan. (email: [email protected]) WILSON, R.P. & C.R. MCMAHON. 2006. Measuring devices on wild animals: what constitutes acceptable practice? Frontiers in ZBINDEN, J., D. MARGARITOULIS & R. ARLETTAZ. �����2006. Ecology and the Environment 4: 147-54. R. P. Wilson, Institute of Metabolic heating in Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle clutches. Environmental Sustainability, School of Environment and Society, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 334, no. 1: University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, 151-57. J. Zbinden, Zoological Institute, Division of Conservation Wales, UK. (email:��������������������������������� [email protected]) Biology, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. (email: [email protected]) WINKLER, J.D. & M.R. SANCHEZ-VILLAGRA. 2006.������������� A nesting site and egg morphology of a Miocene turtle from Urumaco, ZEEBERG, J., A. CORTEN & E. DE GRAAF. 2006. Bycatch Venezuela: Evidence of marine adaptations in Pelomedusoides. and release of pelagic megafauna in industrial trawler fisheries Palaeontology 49: 641-46. J. D. Winkler, Univ Tubingen, Dept off Northwest Africa. Fisheries Research 78, no. 2-3: 186-95. J. Zool, Auf Morgenstelle 28, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany. (email: Zeeberg, Netherlands Inst Fisheries Res, Haringkade 1, Ijmuiden, [email protected]) Netherlands. (email: [email protected])
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 31 TECHNICAL REPORTS
CROSS, H., C. RIZK, M. KHALIL & L. VENIZELOS. 2006. Ma- Athens, Greece: 376 pp. Available at: http://www.seaturtle.org./ists/ rine Turtle Conservation in the Mediterranean: Population Status For a hard copy, write: ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection and Conservation Activities on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches in Society of Greece, Solomou 57, GR-104 32 Athens, Greece. South Lebanon, 2005. Prepared for MEDASSET-Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles: 1-39. Available at: http:// RYDER, C.E., T.A. CONANT & B.A. SCHROEDER. 2006. Report www.medasset.org/pdf/Lebanon_Report_2005.pdf. of the Workshop on Marine Turtle Longline Post-Interaction Mor- tality. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum ECKERT, K.L. & J. BEGGS. 2006. Marine turtle tagging: a manual NMFS-F/OPR-29. 36 pp. Available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa. of recommended practices. Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conser- gov/pr/publications. vation Network (WIDECAST) Technical Report No. 2 Revised Edition. Beaufort, North Carolina. 40 pp. (email: widecast@ WHITE, M., I. HAXHIU, V. KOUROUTOS, A. GACE, A. VASO, S. ix.netcom.com) BEQIRAJ, A. PLYTAS & Z. DEDEJ. 2006. Rapid assessment sur- vey of important marine turtle and monk seal habitats in the coastal FRICK, M., A. PANAGOPOULOU, A.F. REES & K. WILLIAMS, area of Albania, 2005. Prepared for MEDASSET-Mediterranean Compilers. 2006. Book of Abstracts. 26th Annual Symposium on Sea Assoc. to Save the Sea Turtles: 36 pp. Available at: http://www. Turtle Biology and Conservation. International Sea Turtle Society, medasset.org/pdf/albanian_report/albanian_report.pdf.
THESES AND DISSERTATIONS
BROCK, K.A. 2005. Effects of a shore protection project on Thesis Project. Universidad Popular Autónoma Del Estado De loggerhead and green turtle nesting activity and reproduction Puebla. Puebla, Pue, México. in Brevard County, Florida. M.S. Thesis. University of Central Florida, Orlando 66 pp. (email: [email protected]) MANSFIELD, K.L. 2006. Sources of mortality, movements and behavior of sea turtles in Virginia. Ph.D. Dissertation. Virginia DARRÉ E. 2006. Hábitos alimentarios de juveniles de tortuga verde Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary; (Chelonia mydas) en Cerro Verde, Rocha. Informe de Pasantía. Gloucester Point, VA. 343 pp. (email: [email protected]) Licenciatura en Ciencias Biológicas. Profundización en Etología. Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de la Republica Oriental del PONS M. 2006. El cangrejo Planes cyaneus (Dana, 1851) Uruguay. 56 pp. (email: [email protected]). (Brachyura, Grapsidae) y su relación con la tortuga cabezona Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758). Licenciatura en Ciencias GUZMÁN, C.R. 2006. Determination of genetic damage in olive Biológicas. Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de la Republica ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) using the micronucleus assay. Oriental del Uruguay. 26 pp. (email:[email protected])
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Publication of this issue was made possible by donations from the following individuals: Anton D. Tucker, Cliff Jones, Frank J. Schwartz, JoAnne Lincoln, R. Erik Martin and organisations: Cayman Turtle Farm, Ltd., Conservation International, International Sea Turtle Society, IUCN - Marine Turtle Specialist Group, Sea World, Inc., Sirtrack Ltd., US National Marine Fisheries Service-Office of Protected Resources, Western Pacific regional Fishery Management Council, WWF International.
The MTN-Online is produced and managed by Michael Coyne.
The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily shared by the Editors, the Editorial Board, the University of Exeter, or any individuals or organizations providing financial support.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 114, 2006 - Page 32 INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS
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